Therefore, each one of us is an artefact of the workmanship of God. Our life stories are songs. Some songs are plain. Some are passionate. Some are melodic while some melancholic. Some are uplifting as some unfinished. History leaves us little information about St. Simon the Zealot and St. Jude (Thaddaeus). Jesus had chosen them to be the foundation of the Kingdom of God. I am sure they must have gone through a great conversion to have become a powerful instrument of God. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates their feastday.
In the reading today, St. Paul had the following to say in his epistle to the Ephesians.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-20)
This is the ecclesiology of St. Paul. He employs different images to describe the Church. Here, the Church is the household of God. Later, the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. Whatever image Paul uses, Jesus is always the cornerstone. The apostles and prophets are the foundation. Paul might have a broader view in mind when he used these terms. In his mind, "apostles" is not limited to the Twelve whom Jesus handpicked to build up the Kingdom of God. Paul was thinking of those sent out to proclaim the good news. Therefore, Barnabas and he himself were also apostles chosen by the Holy Spirit.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2)
"Prophets" is another interesting term. According to the Lucan history of the early Church, the Acts of the Apostles, there were in the Church prophets who actually were able to foretell the future. For example, some prophets came down from the Church of Jerusalem to visit the Church in Antioch. Obviously, they should not be understood to be prophets in the sense of the Old Testament. They seemed to be people having a special gift of a direct line with the Holy Spirit. They formed an office.
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius (Acts 11:27-28).
There were also prophets and teachers in the Church of Antioch and Barnabas was one of them, though it was not clear whether he was a prophet or a teacher (Acts 13:1).
Paul made it clear that prophets occupied a position in the Church hierarchy.
And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12)
So, prophets occupied an important office in the early Church, second only to the apostles. Together with the apostles, they lay the foundation of the Church.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-20)
This is the ecclesiology of St. Paul. He employs different images to describe the Church. Here, the Church is the household of God. Later, the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. Whatever image Paul uses, Jesus is always the cornerstone. The apostles and prophets are the foundation. Paul might have a broader view in mind when he used these terms. In his mind, "apostles" is not limited to the Twelve whom Jesus handpicked to build up the Kingdom of God. Paul was thinking of those sent out to proclaim the good news. Therefore, Barnabas and he himself were also apostles chosen by the Holy Spirit.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2)
"Prophets" is another interesting term. According to the Lucan history of the early Church, the Acts of the Apostles, there were in the Church prophets who actually were able to foretell the future. For example, some prophets came down from the Church of Jerusalem to visit the Church in Antioch. Obviously, they should not be understood to be prophets in the sense of the Old Testament. They seemed to be people having a special gift of a direct line with the Holy Spirit. They formed an office.
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius (Acts 11:27-28).
There were also prophets and teachers in the Church of Antioch and Barnabas was one of them, though it was not clear whether he was a prophet or a teacher (Acts 13:1).
Paul made it clear that prophets occupied a position in the Church hierarchy.
And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12)
So, prophets occupied an important office in the early Church, second only to the apostles. Together with the apostles, they lay the foundation of the Church.
Why are the apostles so important?
Comparing the Apostles' Creed with the Nicene Creed which we recite on Sundays during Mass, we see a gradual clarification of what Christians should believe. This Nicene Creed is accepted by all Christian Churches, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestants. There is a particular clause that recognizes the importance of the apostles to the Church.
(We believe) in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Our faith is handed down through the apostles and their successors. Christianity has suffered from the onslaught of many heresies and schisms. Following the teachings of the apostles guarantees a belief in the truth, in orthodoxy.
The Catholic Church has her own tradition. The Bible is one of our treasures of revelation. The Church also upholds the importance of human reasons. There is also a teaching office called Magisterium which issues doctrinal and moral directives to Catholics, telling them which is the right thing to believe and the right thing to do. I am still learning. The course I take in the evening is very enriching.
Comparing the Apostles' Creed with the Nicene Creed which we recite on Sundays during Mass, we see a gradual clarification of what Christians should believe. This Nicene Creed is accepted by all Christian Churches, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestants. There is a particular clause that recognizes the importance of the apostles to the Church.
(We believe) in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Our faith is handed down through the apostles and their successors. Christianity has suffered from the onslaught of many heresies and schisms. Following the teachings of the apostles guarantees a belief in the truth, in orthodoxy.
The Catholic Church has her own tradition. The Bible is one of our treasures of revelation. The Church also upholds the importance of human reasons. There is also a teaching office called Magisterium which issues doctrinal and moral directives to Catholics, telling them which is the right thing to believe and the right thing to do. I am still learning. The course I take in the evening is very enriching.
Dear Lord, I thank You for choosing us, fragile humans instead of powerful angels, to lay the foundation of Your Church. May Ss. Simon & Jude intercede for our needs so that the Church can truthfully proclaim Your gospel to the whole world. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment