There are two words which appear often in the New Testament of the Bible, but we often confuse them. They are, however, distinct words (or titles): disciples and apostles.
They truly are distinct in meaning: a disciple (Latin discipulus, from discere, to learn) is a follower, someone who learns from a teacher and assimilates that teaching into his or her own life; an apostle (Greek, apostolos from apostello) is someone who is sent out on a mission, someone who is deputed to disseminate the teaching of the master/teacher to others. This important distinction does not mean, however, that the two roles are mutually exclusive. On the contrary, all who are called to be disciples are also expected to be apostles, actively sharing our faith with others.
It is very easy for us to see ourselves as “ordinary” Catholics, as disciples, and to regard priests and Religious as doing the Apostolic work of the Church. That would be very wrong. Every one of us who is called to be a disciple is, by virtue of Baptism and Confirmation, also called to be an apostle: we are sent to proclaim the teaching of the Master and to follow His example. More on disciples and apostles tomorrow….
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Join us for our monthly Mass which includes the Anointing of the Sick: Wednesday, July 12 at 8:30am.
