BARTHOLOMEW

ST. BARTHOLOMEW

Simplicity

“You will see angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (John 1,51).

You can read the Bible from eight years of age till eighty, and each time you do, you will discover something new, something that will make you think. For instance, Jesus speaks about heaven opening and the angels of God ascending and descending. If heaven opens, one would expect angels to descend, to come down, not to ascend, to go up. Perhaps when heaven opens, everything is turned upside down, as one hymn makes out. As children, we used to play on the slides in the park. We climbed up the ladder and came sliding down. Some of us more enterprising would come down upside down – a great achievement. The “shirs-asana” is the standing on one’s head: it helps much to get a proper perspective of reality. It is also recommended in class for those who are sleepy. We also know from Physics that the image that falls on the retina of the eye is actually upside down.

G.K. Chesterton said that in order to get a true perspective of reality, we should stand on our heads. He said that since St. Peter was crucified upside down, he saw the landscape as it truly is: with the sky like a vast blue field and the stars like beautiful white flowers on it; and the clouds like hills; and best of all, all men hanging on the mercy of God. Which is what matters ultimately: that everything hangs on the mercy of God. Only the simply realise that. For the simple see how Faith has turned everything in their life topsy turvy. They are like the angels, for angels are simple, as we know from philosophy. And being upside down they are in a position to ascend to heaven.

G. K. Chesterton said that angels fly because they take themselves lightly. And Jesus said, “If your eye be simple, your whole body will be lightsome.” To have a simple eye is to have a pure intention, not to be weighed down by complications and complications, or by conflicting motivations. A lightsome body is not enslaved by passions, attachments and worldly concerns. If we are looking only for God we can rest secure and feel no fear. Since our heart is fixed on God, there is nothing that can disturb us, not even our own failings.

“Simple” is such an easy word to use, that it has almost become debased currency. It need not mean a kind of holy moron or someone too lazy to use what brains he has about his faith. It should mean someone who, possibly after great struggle, arrives at a candid unselfconscious dynamic security in belief – a belief that cannot fail to communicate itself to others to their deep enrichment. Like a fragrant charm, simple faith is caught, not taught.

The joyous disciple has his soul poised on Jesus whose mystery, light and love embrace him totally. God works in his life as the one to whom he says his inmost “yes”.

Let us beware of duplicity; it can destroy our vocation. To be double-faced, double-minded, engaged in double-dealing. And ultimately, a double-motivated person is not able to deal with himself, since he does not understand his own self-deception.

Jesus paid a beautiful compliment to Nathaniel, calling him a true Israelite in whom there was no deception. Let us pray God, through the intercession of our saint, that we may be worthy of that compliment also.