Homily of Rev. Fr. Phillippe Angelo G. Garcia,
August 24, 2024 | Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Apostol San Bartolome de Malabon Parish, Malabon City, Diocese of Kalookan
Beloved People of God: Happy fiesta!
Change your ways! As they say in Filipino, “Magbago ka na!”
A saying goes, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.” The saying states that who your friends are friends reflects your personality. I thought that saying is just a modern saying. I was surprised to know that even Aristotle, an Ancient Greek Philosopher said that same thing in his Nicomachean Ethics. He said, “Friendship is having a someone who shares the same likes and dislikes.” Isn’t that the reason why he or she is your friend? Because somehow, you share things in common, you share the same attitude and behavior; and you share the same dislikes. That is why real friends have someone, something, or situation that they hate. They share the same feeling because they are friends.
Aristotle added, “Some friends are there just because they need something from you. Some friendships are just focused and centered on the joy of friendship. But there are friends who will lead you to goodness and to what is good.” “Friends of virtue,” as they say.
We hear this positive friendship in our Gospel today (John 1:45-51), in the persons of the two friends: St. Philip and St. Bartholomew. The later even complained at the start. However, he went with Philip when he said, “Come and see.” This is the focus of our reflection today: How St. Philip brought St. Bartholomew to Jesus.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, reflect upon these:
What attitude are you showing to your friends?
Where do you lead your friends?
Do you know someone who cheats or deceives others? Someone who is not trustworthy because he or she is full of pretentions and lies. Many people are like that nowadays. They will make friends with you because they want to get something from you, because they need something from you.
This is the reason why we pray to St. Bartholomew—so that we won’t be deceived by anyone, so that we won’t be cheated by anyone. For Jesus himself said that there is no duplicity in St. Bartholomew, a true child of Israel. If you do not want to be deceived or cheated in life, come to St. Bartholomew.
Remember, St. Philip brought St. Bartholomew to Jesus. We should do the same. Let us become good friends to others. Let us bring our friends to Jesus.
Another lesson that we can learn from our patron are the words of the Lord who said, “Before Philip called you, I saw you...” he is like saying, “Even before everything, I knew you already.” Even if we have many weaknesses and sins, the Lord Jesus knew everything about it. He accepts us, and He is not scandalized on us. Therefore, even if we have so many sins, many problems, many struggles in life, we still have to do a lot. Even if we already experience the life’s burdensome, in front of all our struggles, we have a God who loves us. Even if you feel it or not, God has a plan for you and for us all. God loves you very much.
Let us not forget: there are three answers.
Thus, on this Feast of St. Bartholomew, let us remember these two points for reflection:
Bring your friends to Jesus.
God loves you very much, and He accepts you for who you are.
We have fiesta because there is a God who loves us!
Through the help and prayers of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, may God bless us, in the name of the ✠ Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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