The Twelve Apostles
09 The Twelve Apostles
June 30
Jesus Christ came to earth to bring salvation to
man who had gone astray from God. His task was
great and timeless. The gift of salvation was destined
not only for the people living during Jesus time, but
for everyone who would believe in Him and follow
His teachings. There was a need for assistants and
messengers for His Gospel. For this purpose, Jesus
chose twelve disciples.
They were simple people, mostly fisherman, uned -
ucated, ordinary people. But they had faith in God:
they believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and
Saviour of men: they had pure hearts, and they
were willing to devote their lives to serve Jesus and
His Gospel.
Jesus prepared them during His three-year minis -
try on earth for the task He would entrust to them.
Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit after
His Ascension. He changed them into Apostles:
preachers of His Gospel of salvation in the world,
and ministers of His Kingdom, the Christian Church.
The names of the Twelve Apostles are listed by the
three Evangelists: Matthew (10:2-3), Mark (3:16 -
19), and Luke (6:14-16).
According to Matthew's list, who gives more de -
tails, they are:
Simon who is called Peter, and
Andrew his brother;
James, the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother;
Philip and
Nathanael or Bartholomew;
Thomas and
Matthew the Pulican;
James, the son of Alpheus, and
Lebbeus whose surname was Thaddeus;
Simon the Canaanite, and
Judas Iscariot who became Jesus traitor
The place of Judas the Traitor was filled by
Matthias a few days before Pentecost. Later, St.
Paul, the Lord's "chosen vessel" was also named
"Apostle." the Apostle of the Gentiles.
**A Thought to Remember**
It would bring me more joy then a can say
If you would never forget
- not even for a single day -
How wonderful you are…
In my eyes and in my heart.
I'm so often at a loss to find the words
To tell you how much you mean to me.
In my imagination, I compare you with
Things like the sunshine in my mornings,
The most beautiful flowers in the fields, and
The happiness I feel on the best days of all.
You're like the answer to a special prayer,
And I think God knew
That my world needed
Someone exactly like you.