“There you have a real Israelite, in whom there is no guile.” John 1:45-51

St. Bartholomew

The Gospel tells us about Nathanael or Bartholomew’s first encounter with Jesus. He has his personal notes. It is Philip who speaks to him and leads him to Jesus. Jesus surprises Nathanael by recognizing him as “a true Israelite, in whom there is no guile.” The short dialogue continues, and at the end Nathanael recognizes Jesus as someone different and above other men: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.” And he remained united to Jesus for the rest of his days as one of his apostles.

Let us pray and live the following phrase: Lord, give us a heart that has no guile. Give us a clean, transparent heart like yours, Lord!