Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Intention: For all who live in the darkness of poverty, violence, abuse, or neglect, that they may know the comfort of our solidarity and assistance, and the restoration of their security and dignity.
Today’s Gospel | John 1:45-51
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
From the Sixteenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
The holy King David says that he will be filled with gladness when God will grant him the grace to see him and to enjoy the glory of heaven. For the sight of God fills all the powers of a person’s soul in such a way that all consciousness of self is lost, so to speak. The person is entirely present within the divinity and totally penetrated with God. This is the happiness that will be possessed in heaven by those who have procured the salvation of souls, who have done this in a way that has been useful to the good of the Church, who have by their care restored the robe of innocence to a great number of their disciples, who might have lost it through sin, and who have helped preserve the innocence of many others who have never lost it.
This will happen to those who have carried out the role of Guardian Angels for the children whom Providence has entrusted to them and who have had ardent zeal in their work, practiced this zeal continually, and saved a great number of these children.
Prayer
Eternal Father, we pray today for the grace of integrity. Your spirit dwells inside of us, teaching us to do justly, to love mercifully, and to walk humbly before you. Even when life brings the temptation to be judgmental or arrogant, help us always to behave compassionately and respectfully. Fill us with care and vigilance and show us the way to each other’s hearts. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.