YOUCAT Question n. 137 - Part II. Why is the Church called apostolic?
(Youcat
answer - repeated) The Church is called apostolic because she was founded by
the apostles, holds fast to their Tradition, and is governed by their
successors.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 858) Jesus is the Father's Emissary. From the beginning of
his ministry, he "called to him those whom he desired;… And he appointed
twelve, whom also he named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to
preach" (Mk 3:13-14). From then on, they would also be his
"emissaries" (Greek apostoloi).
In them, Christ continues his own mission: "As the Father has sent me,
even so I send you" (Jn 20:21; cf. 13:20; 17:18). The apostles' ministry
is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve: "he who receives
you receives me" (Mt 10:40; cf. Lk 10:16
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment)
Jesus called the
Apostles to be his closest collaborators. They were his eyewitnesses. After his
Resurrection, he appeared to them repeatedly. He bestowed on them the Holy
Spirit and sent them as his authoritative messengers to all the world. They
assured unity in the early Church. They conferred their mission and authority
upon their successors, the bishops, through the laying on of hands. This
process is called Apostolic Succession.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 859) Jesus unites them to the mission he received from the
Father. As "the Son can do nothing of his own accord," but receives
everything from the Father who sent him, so those whom Jesus sends can do
nothing apart from him (Jn 5:19, 30; cf. 15:5), from whom they received both
the mandate for their mission and the power to carry it out. Christ's apostles
knew that they were called by God as "ministers of a new covenant,"
"servants of God," "ambassadors for Christ," "servants
of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (2 Cor 3:6; 6:4; 5:20; 1
Cor 4:1).
No comments:
Post a Comment