MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 24, 2026

MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 24, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/monday-of-the-twenty-first-week-in-ordinary-time-year-a-august-24-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 24, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-24th/

FEAST OF OUR LADY, HEALTH OF THE SICK AND SAINT BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE

HISTORY OF THE SAINTS SERIES ON YOUTUBE CHANNEL | https://www.youtube.com/@dailyreflectionswithphilomena

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Our Lady, Health of the Sick, and Saint Bartholomew Here |

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

NOVENA TO SAINT MONICA | Especially prayed for wayward children | Praying for the Conversion of a Loved One? Turn to Saint Monica’s Powerful Intercession. Novena starts August 18 and end on August 26. The Feast of Saint Monica is August 27th. | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-saint-monica/

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | August 24, 2026 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-august-24-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle, the Gospel recounts the transformative encounter between Jesus and Nathanael, showing us that the Lord sees into the depth of our hearts and invites us to “come and see” His glory. As we enter day seven of our Novena to Saint Monica, we continue to persevere with her relentless faith, praying for the conversion, spiritual renewal, and return to the sacraments of our children and loved ones. Today, the Church also honors Our Lady, Health of the Sick, turning with filial confidence to the Blessed Mother who stood steadfast at the foot of the Cross, bringing maternal solace and healing to those burdened with physical and spiritual afflictions. Alongside Our Lady, we venerate Saint Bartholomew (Nathanael), a man without duplicity who boldly confessed Jesus as the Son of God and laid down his life in martyrdom to spread the Gospel. Guided by their intercession, let us draw near to Christ with pure, sincere, and undivided hearts.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings for Monday, August 24, 2026 | Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Reading 1: Revelation 21:9b-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18
Gospel: John 1:45-51

Gospel Reading ~ John 1:45-51

“But Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’”

“Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ But Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, ‘Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.’ And he said to him, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Today’s Gospel presents the encounter between Jesus and Nathanael (traditionally identified as the Apostle Saint Bartholomew). When invited by Philip to meet the Messiah from Nazareth, Nathanael responds with blunt skepticism: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Rather than argue, Philip offers an invitation: “Come and see.” When Jesus encounters Nathanael, He looks past human cynicism and sees the integrity of his heart: “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Jesus reveals that He knew him intimately before they even met: “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” This encounter moves Nathanael from doubt to a profession of faith: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

In the First Reading, Saint John receives a vision of the New Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb, gleaming with the splendor of God. The foundation of this holy city rests upon twelve courses of stone, inscribed with the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. Bartholomew’s apostolic witness and eventual martyrdom contributed to the living foundation of the Church. The Responsorial Psalm calls all the faithful to proclaim God’s glory: “Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.”

These passages remind us of the power of genuine, personal encounter with Christ. Jesus knows every detail of our hearts, our doubts, our hidden longings, and our silent struggles under our own “fig trees.” Like Philip, we are called to invite others to “come and see” rather than engaging in fruitless debates. Like Bartholomew, we are invited to bring our honest hearts before the Lord, allowing Him to transform our hesitation into courageous, unwavering faith.

Are there doubts, prejudices, or hesitations keeping you from drawing closer to Jesus today? Are you willing to answer His invitation to “come and see” and let Him reveal greater things in your life?

Lord Jesus Christ, You see us and know us completely, even before we turn our hearts toward You. Cleanse our hearts of all deceit, hypocrisy, and cynicism, that we may stand before You with sincerity and faith like Saint Bartholomew. Grant us the grace to bring our family, friends, and those who doubt to encounter You through our joyful witness. Deepen our trust in Your divine promises, that we may fix our eyes on the eternal Kingdom and see the glorious things You have prepared for those who love You. For You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 24TH:

Direct link to the detailed history of Our Lady, Health of the Sick, and Saint Bartholomew | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-24th/

OUR LADY, HEALTH OF THE SICK: Invoked under the title Salus Infirmorum (Health of the Sick) in the Litany of Loreto, the Blessed Virgin Mary has long been venerated as the tender comforter of the ailing and the dying. From her loving presence at the deathbed of Saint Joseph to her steadfast vigil at the foot of the Cross, Our Lady shared intimately in the suffering of Christ. Through centuries of epidemics and trials, the faithful have sought her maternal intercession for physical healing, emotional relief, and spiritual restoration. She points all who suffer to her Son, the Divine Physician, reminding us that through Christ’s Cross, our trials can become pathways to eternal life.

PRAYER: O Mary, Health of the Sick, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. Look with compassion upon all who are suffering in mind, body, or spirit. Bring healing to the sick, comfort to the dying, and grant us the grace to conform our hearts to the Father’s holy will in every trial. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE: Saint Bartholomew (identified as Nathanael of Cana in the Gospel of John) was one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus. When brought to Christ by Philip, Jesus praised him as a “true child of Israel, in whom there is no duplicity.” Moved by the Lord’s divine knowledge of him under the fig tree, Bartholomew made a prompt and wholehearted confession of faith: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Following Pentecost, tradition holds that he preached the Gospel fearlessly across regions including India, Mesopotamia, and Armenia, where he suffered a brutal martyrdom by being flayed alive for winning souls to Christ. He is the Patron Saint of Armenia, leather workers, tanners, shoemakers, and those suffering from neurological and nervous conditions.

PRAYER: O God, strengthen in us that steadfast faith by which Your Apostle Saint Bartholomew adhered to Your Son with sincerity and purity of heart. Through his intercession, grant that Your Church may remain an unshakable sacrament of salvation for all nations. Amen. 🙏🏽

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Our Lady, Health of the Sick, and Saint Bartholomew (Saint Nathanael), we also honor: SAINT AUREA, SAINT EUTYCHIUS, SAINT JANE ANTIDE THOURET, SAINT MASSA CANDIDA, SAINT OUEN, SAINT ROMANUS OF NEPI, SAINT SANDRATUS, SAINT TATION, AND SAINT YRCHARD. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR CONVERSIONS, THE SICK AND DYING, CLERGY & VOCATIONS, AND FAMILY PEACE

Heavenly Father, on this Feast of Saint Bartholomew and as we continue the Novena to Saint Monica, we place all our needs into Your merciful hands through the maternal intercession of Our Lady, Health of the Sick. Through the persistent prayers and tears of Saint Monica, we pray for the conversion, repentance, and spiritual restoration of our children, spouses, and loved ones who have strayed from the Catholic faith. Through the intercession of Our Lady, Health of the Sick, we ask for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing for all who are sick, especially those battling cancer, chronic pain, and terminal illnesses; grant peaceful departure and comfort to the dying and those who mourn. Through the intercession of Saint Bartholomew, we pray for our Holy Father, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Religious; grant them apostolic courage, purity, and zeal for souls, and bless Your Church with holy vocations. Lord, provide for the poor and marginalized, and protect all marriages and families, uniting our homes in Your divine love and lasting peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady, Health of the Sick, and Saint Bartholomew, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings, and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer-2/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/