Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 - 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]
All four gospels make it clear that Jesus was a man of prayer! One might ask why? Isn't he God? Wouldn't he be praying to himself? The gospels were written before the church developed a full understanding of the trinitarian nature of God and the human/divine reality of Jesus (known by theologians as the "hypostatic union"). The Councils of Nicea (325 AD) and Chalcedon (451 AD) were summoned to straighten out all of this. What the gospel writers had were the experiences of those who knew Jesus in person and remembered him as praying. In today's gospel passage, he prays before choosing his closest associates from among those who were already disciples. The number twelve seems to have been deliberate to show continuity with the tradition of the twelve tribes of Israel. In looking at the list of those chosen, one might well wonder why he chose Judas Iscariot "who became a traitor." That will remain always a matter of speculation! What is clear is that the title of "apostle" means one who is sent. They were to be Jesus' collaborators.
Jesus' prayer was an expression of his relationship with his Father, a relationship that enabled him to accomplish the mission he was given. But this mission would require leadership that remained after his death and resurrection, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were the first to exercise that leadership and we stand on their shoulders and profess our faith not only in Jesus but also in "one, holy, catholic and apostolic church." As "church" we are called to prayer and to mission through our baptism. Pope Francis has renewed that call to be "missionary disciples." Prayer and service remain the foundation of Christian life. AMEN