Saturday 24 August

St Bartholomew, Apostle (f)

Apocalypse 21:9-14; Psalm 145; John 1:45-51

Prejudices

Jews despised Nazareth because it had a Roman garrison. Bartholomew (Nathaniel) asks what good could come from Nazareth. Despite this, he kept an open mind and went to see Jesus for himself. Prejudice involves preconceived ideas, embraced uncritically as our own. Bartholomew proves to be his own man. He trusts his judgment and was neither flattered by Jesus, nor swayed by the opinions of others. He generously proclaims, “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel”. What are my prejudices? How does Jesus challenge my preconceptions? St Bartholomew pray for us.