St. Bartholomew

Little is actually known of St. Bartholomew, thought to be the Nathaniel whose telling vocation story appears in St. John's Gospel, but what is said of him there serves as an inspiration for all Marists. Jesus compliments him upon first meeting him referring to him as a "true Israelite in whom there is no duplicity" (Jn 1:47). Older translations used the word "guile" which carries the notion of deceitfulness and cunning a bit more strongly. Guilessness reminds me of our own Marist virtue of simplicity, which comes from the root word meaning "fold" as a fold in cloth. Simplicity is one fold, duplicity is two folds. It is in that second fold, hidden at first from view, that the cunning and deceit lodge. With simplicity, "what you see is what you get". Nathaniel responded honestly and without guile, asking immediately, "How did you know me?" (Jn 1:48), and later from the heart acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. (Jn 1:49). How free he was, how himself he was. No wonder Jesus admired him from the moment he noticed him under the fig tree. (cf Jn 1: 48). When we meet people like that, and, thank God, there are many around, we feel confident, "safe" and at-ease. It is for this reason that St. Marcellin stressed this virtue with the brothers in order that they might be more effective in their dealings with the students and with each other. St. Bartholomew, empty me of my duplicity and help me find the path of simplicity. Amen.
Bro. Rene