Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - Tuesday in the 23th Week in Ordinary Time
[Col 2:6-15 and Luke 6:12-19]Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles. [Luke]
In those brief words there are many questions. Why would Jesus pray? Isn't he God as well as human? Wouldn't he be praying to himself? Why would he choose twelve and why would he call them apostles? What difference does any of this make to us? I'll offer some brief reflections on these questions
Jesus speaks of his Father and the Holy Spirit. Yes, he is one of the Holy Trinity, but he has been sent on a mission. As human, he experienced all that we do (but without sin) and so he has a human relationship with his Father and the Spirit. Given what his mission would require, prayer would be a necessity. The same is true for us, whatever our baptismal commitment presents.
Why choose Twelve and call them Apostles? Scripture scholars point out that Jesus intended to found a "New Israel." The older testament was founded on the experience of the twelve tribes of Jacob. Jesus would found his Church on the Twelve disciples whom he called "apostles." The word, "apostle," comes from the Greek word that means someone who is sent to do something. The apostles would represent Jesus and the New Israel. That is why, when Judas was gone, the remaining eleven chose a twelfth, Matthias, to replace him. [Acts 1:15-26] The Book of Revelation speaks of the vision of the church as the "New Jerusalem," founded on the apostles. [Revelation 21:9-14]. Our creed speaks of "one, holy, catholic and APOSTOLIC" church. The apostles would carry on Jesus' mission after his death with the help of the Holy Spirit. The same is true for us now, but we stand on their shoulders. We are "sent" as well. That will, indeed, require prayer! AMEN
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