Background Role

In the spring of 2010 I traveled to New Orleans with some friends. There were four of us total who took in the sights and sounds of the Big Easy. We ate at famous restaurants and hole-in-the-wall places, took a walk down Bourbon Street, rode the trolleys, and generally had a blast. When looking back on the trip though something strange emerges. Although there were four of us along for the ride, the pictures make it look as though there were only three of us there.

Back in the dark ages before every cell phone doubled as a smart phone and tripled as a decent camera—back in those days—one had to use a digital camera to capture moments. One of my friends just so happened to be the person who always grabbed the camera to take pictures of the rest of us. Although I remember my photographer friend enjoying the trip, making all of us crack up in laughter, and deepening our relationship in the process, the way that I remember his part in that trip differs because of the lack of photographic evidence. In much the same way, the Apostle Bartholomew quietly witnessed Jesus’ earthly ministry almost blending into the background in the process.

Today we celebrate the life and martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew whom the synoptic Gospel writers remember as an Apostle. While his name appears in Matthew’s, Mark’s, and Luke’s lists of disciples, we do not hear another detail about his life within Holy Scripture. Legend professes that Bartholomew suffered a gruesome death in which he was skinned alive on the Caspian Sea. Other than this tale and Bartholomew’s inclusion in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, we do not have many details about this saint. Still, Bartholomew was part of the Jesus movement in his day and well worth us remembering.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry Bartholomew remained present witnessing the life, death, and resurrected existence of Jesus. When Jesus called people to follow him and become fishers of people Bartholomew took up that call. During Jesus’ teaching Bartholomew was there. As Jesus healed the sick, the blind, and the lame Bartholomew was there. At the moment when Jesus fed the masses Bartholomew was there. Even when Jesus raised people from the dead Bartholomew was there.

As Jesus’ ministry focused in on Jerusalem and the events of Holy Week, there too Bartholomew was there. Bartholomew walked into the Holy City laying Palm Branches down in front of Jesus. Bartholomew partook of the Last Supper and had his feet washed by Jesus. Bartholomew heard the great commandment to love one another as Jesus had loved them. Even when Jesus was betrayed, tortured, and killed Bartholomew—although sheepishly from a distance—must have experienced these moments too.

On the Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead, Bartholomew also experienced the mystifying aftermath of the Resurrection. Hidden in the upper room Bartholomew was present when Jesus appeared to his disciples to show them the path of life goes through death. Bartholomew’s own life must have also been transformed if the legend of his martyrdom remains true. Even if he did not play a prominent role in Holy Scripture we receive a powerful witness from the life and death of this saint.

Our lives with Christ do not always have to be flashy like Saint Peter or verbose like Saint Paul. We do not have to be ethereal like Saint John or evangelical like Saint Andrew. We may not be dutiful like the Blessed Virgin Mary or compassionate like Saint Mary Magdalene. Sometimes we must embody the spiritual life of Saint Bartholomew. Sometimes we benefit from watching from the background as Jesus transforms our lives. Once we witness the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus we may experience the same type of overwhelming transformation as Bartholomew. May we follow his witness and regardless of what part we play in the story—may our story become part of the story of Christ!