Daily Retreat 09/27/06
2006 Sep 27 Wed: Vincent de Paul, p, rf M
Prv 30: 5-9/ Ps 118(119): 29. 72. 89. 101. 104. 163/ Lk 9: 1-6
From today’s readings: “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.... Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.... Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
Apostles
The word “apostle” literally means “one who is sent.” After His Resurrection, Jesus sent forth His Apostles to the whole world in the great commissioning, but even during His earthly life, He also sent them forth on mission - as the Gospel records, “Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
The word “disciple” literally means “student” or “follower.” Logically, all the Apostles were also disciples of Jesus, but not all of His disciples were specifically sent as Apostles. In Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospels though, the word “apostle” is rare, and instead, the more generic term “disciples” is often used in a restrictive sense to designate the band of the 12 Apostles.
Luke, however, generally maintains a cleaner distinction between the two terms, and thus more clearly highlights the unique role of the Apostles both in his Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles, which he also wrote. However, as will be noted in a reading next week, in addition to the 12 Apostles, Jesus later also sent 72 other disciples forth on a similar mission (cf. Luke 10:1ff). For indeed, all faithful Christians are disciples of Christ and have a real share in the Church’s ongoing apostolate, which is based on the historical and authoritative example of the Apostles, those first sent by Jesus Himself.
Prv 30: 5-9/ Ps 118(119): 29. 72. 89. 101. 104. 163/ Lk 9: 1-6
From today’s readings: “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.... Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.... Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
Apostles
The word “apostle” literally means “one who is sent.” After His Resurrection, Jesus sent forth His Apostles to the whole world in the great commissioning, but even during His earthly life, He also sent them forth on mission - as the Gospel records, “Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
The word “disciple” literally means “student” or “follower.” Logically, all the Apostles were also disciples of Jesus, but not all of His disciples were specifically sent as Apostles. In Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospels though, the word “apostle” is rare, and instead, the more generic term “disciples” is often used in a restrictive sense to designate the band of the 12 Apostles.
Luke, however, generally maintains a cleaner distinction between the two terms, and thus more clearly highlights the unique role of the Apostles both in his Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles, which he also wrote. However, as will be noted in a reading next week, in addition to the 12 Apostles, Jesus later also sent 72 other disciples forth on a similar mission (cf. Luke 10:1ff). For indeed, all faithful Christians are disciples of Christ and have a real share in the Church’s ongoing apostolate, which is based on the historical and authoritative example of the Apostles, those first sent by Jesus Himself.
posted by FrPitstick | 9/23/2006
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