A disciple is a
follower or an imitator of someone, in this case a follower of Christ. An apostle is a special messenger or an
envoy, chosen and trained to fulfill a specific mission, spreading the good
news. The word apostle (apostolos) is Greek. Translated into Latin, it is missio, from which we get the word
missionary. As baptized Christians, we
are called to be both disciples and apostles.
We hear and accept the teaching of Jesus and then we share our faith
with others. In our second reading today
from Ephesians 1:3-14, St. Paul
reminds us that each one of us is “chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things
according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise
of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.”
Our Church has an
apostolic mission as well. The Catechism
of the Catholic Church teaches us that “The whole Church is apostolic, in that
she remains, through the successors of St. Peter and the other apostles, in
communion of faith and life with her origin: and in that she is "sent
out" into the whole world. All members of the Church share in this
mission, though in various ways. "The Christian vocation is, of its nature,
a vocation to the apostolate as well." Indeed, we call an apostolate" every activity of the Mystical Body" that aims "to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth" (CCC
863).
God placed us in
Peachtree City, Georgia. Our mission is
to share the good news of the Kingdom of Christ right here.
God of justice and mercy,
you have set us free from the evil of sin
by the life and death and rising again
of your living reflection and Word,
Jesus Christ.
Let his life and message inspire us
to voice his truth and bring his freedom
to everyone on this earth.
Give us no other assurance
than that we proclaim his Good News
and that our companion on the road is
your own Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
you have set us free from the evil of sin
by the life and death and rising again
of your living reflection and Word,
Jesus Christ.
Let his life and message inspire us
to voice his truth and bring his freedom
to everyone on this earth.
Give us no other assurance
than that we proclaim his Good News
and that our companion on the road is
your own Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen