Saint Bartholomew - The Big Shot - The name means Son of Talmai. In 2Samuel 3:3, there is mention of a Talmai who was king of Geshur whose daughter was one of king David's wives. It is believed that it was from this Talmai that Bartholomew was descended and is sometimes called Nathanael. When Saint Philip told him that he had found Jesus of Nazareth, he scoffed, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth? - John 1:46 - As a resident of Cana he looked down at rival Nazareth. The answer of Philip was "Come and See". Prove yourself, overcome your prejudice. When Jesus saw him, He said, "Here is an Israelite worthy of the name; there is nothing false in him". - John 1:48 -

Bartholomew said to Jesus; 'How do you know me?' Jesus replied, 'Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree'. He was surprised by the omniscience of Jesus and made an instant profession of faith: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God". He was the first of the Apostles to proclaim, "You are the Son of God". - John 1:50 -

According to ancient writers, he preached the Gospel in Armenia and India, where he converted many from idolatry. Tradition said that he was condemned to be flayed alive at Albanopolis in Armenia. His skin was cut into stripes and removed, leaving him agonizing with his flesh open and bleeding for a long time before being beheaded.

Michelangelo was so impressed by this saint that he made his self-portrait on the skin of Saint Bartholomew represented on the Last Judgment in Sistine Chapel. His feast day is on August 24.

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -