Figs, filet knives & the feast of St Bart 8/24

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of faith.” - Tertullian

Michelango’s witness

For his faith, St Bart was skinned alive. Seminarians and priests celebrate with the perhaps morbid pork rinds. Is this worse than honoring the crucifix as a symbol of our salvation? For St Bart, pork rinds signify his crowning-achievement. In the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel “The Last Judgement,” Michelangelo paints St Bart holding a tanner’s knife and a suit of skin.

Untangling Names

In the Gospels of Sts. Mathew, Mark and Luke; the surname Bartholomew meant son of Ptolemy or “bar-Tolomai.”
To St John, St Bart’s first name was Nathaniel meaning “given by God.” In John 1:43-51, Nathanael is skeptical when Philip describes the Messiah. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip’s response is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Philip teases Nathaniel/Bartholomew with, “come and see...”

We all have Fig Trees

Jesus wanted St Bart’s heart, just like He wants ours. “I saw you under the fig tree,” is a cryptic way to dangling bait, from the Fisher of men. Imagine eye contact with the Son of God. To set the hook, Jesus points to him, “here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Immediately, St Bart trusts him. “Rabbi, you are the Son of God and King of Israel.”

Once you know, you know. Jesus, King of the Universe, promises to return someday to right all wrongs, dry all tears and bring us to everlasting glory--if we believe in His justice, love and peace. Who doesn’t want that?

A Pound of Flesh

At the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fired up the apostles. As they spread the Good News, we see papyrus-trails from St Bart in Arabia, Armenia, Ethiopia, India, Parthia, etc. This too, is our quest. Depending on our God-given gifts, the Holy Spirit seeks our witness in parish ministry today: Bible study, Catechist, Music, Pro-Life, Seven-Sisters and the like. Jesus calls us too, to have “skin in the game,” or suffering to prove our faith.

Patron of Skin Diseases

St Lawrence was grilled on a spit, comedically asking to be flipped to his raw side. BBQs are held to honor that feast day. On St Bart’s day, celebrations include figs, pork rinds and beer. St Bart’s life was forever changed upon meeting Jesus Christ. The same must be said of us. We must meet our Lord: encounter Him personally, allow Him to change our lives and never look back. Let us ponder our willingness to imitate St Bart’s witness, while seeking his prayerful intercession on his August 24 feast.

Prayer for the intercession of St Bart

St. Bart, brave heart of fiery flame, you followed Christ & took His blame.
Stand with us in trials we face & wrap our wounds in healing grace.
Guide our steps through falls and fear, till God’s loving light draws us near.

Apostle strong, who felt the sword, yet clung to Christ our risen Lord—
Teach us trust when cuts run deep, when demons steal the peace we seek.
Lift our souls when hope feels thin & breathe the Spirit’s strength within.

St. Bart, be near when spirits break, when sorrow stirs & war wounds ache.
Hold our hands through every storm & keep our chilling courage warm.
Let suffering shape us, not destroy—transform our tears to justly joy.

And when our earthly journey ends, show us Christ, our truest Friend.
May heaven’s gates swing wide and bright, where you wait in limitless light.
Guide us home with gentle love—to rise and rest with angels above.

Sources:

Pork Rinds & Cracklins: St Bart’s Homily by Fr. Glenn H Harris | SoundCloud.com

St Bartholomew, Apostle | My Catholic Life!