The apostles became witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection and guarantors of
the truth about him.
YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the
Catholic Church Lesson 92
Ave Maria series
92 Why did Jesus call the twelve to be apostles?
Jesus had a large circle of disciples around him, both men
and women. From this circle he selected
twelve men whom he called apostles (Luke:
1:2-16). The apostles were specially trained by him and
entrusted with various commissions. “He
sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:2). Jesus took only these twelve apostles
with him to the Last Supper, where he gave them the command, “Do this in
remembrance of me” (Luke
22:19b). [551-553,
567]
Last Supper by
Leonardo da Vinci, A late 1490s mural painting in Milan, Italy......36.....92
The apostles became witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection and
guarantors of the truth about him. They
continued Jesus’ mission after his death.
They chose successors for their ministry: the bishops. To this day, the successors of the apostles
exercise the authority conferred by Jesus:
They govern and teach and celebrate the liturgy. The cohesiveness of the apostles became the
foundation for the unity of the Church (apostolic succession). Preeminent once again among the Twelve was
Peter, on whom Jesus bestowed special authority: “You are Peter, and on this
rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18). From
Peter’s special role among the apostles developed the papal ministry. 137
[551-553, 567]
551 From the beginning of his public life Jesus chose
certain men, twelve in number, to be with him and to participate in his
mission. (Compare Mark 3:13-19.)280 He gives the Twelve
a share in his authority and 'sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to
heal." (Luke 9:2.)281 They remain
associated for ever with Christ's kingdom, for through them he directs the
Church: --Catechism of the Catholic
Church, Second Edition
As my Father
appointed a kingdom for me, so do I appoint for you that you may eat and drink
at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of
Israel. (Luke 22:29-30.)282 –CCC
552 Simon Peter holds the first place in the college of the
Twelve; (Compare Mark 3:16; Mk
9:2; Luke
24:34; 1
Corinthians 15:5.)283 Jesus entrusted a unique mission to him. Through a
revelation from the Father, Peter had confessed: "You are the Christ, the
Son of the living God." Our Lord then declared to him: "You are
Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not
prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18.)284 Christ, the
"living Stone", (1
Peter 2:4.)285 thus assures his Church, built on Peter, of
victory over the powers of death. Because of the faith he confessed Peter will
remain the unshakable rock of the Church. His mission will be to keep this
faith from every lapse and to strengthen his brothers in it. (Compare Luke 22:32.)286 –CCC
553 Jesus entrusted a specific authority to Peter: "I
will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven." (Matthew 16:19.)287 The "power of
the keys" designates authority to govern the house of God, which is the
Church. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, confirmed this mandate after his
Resurrection: "Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17; compare Jn
10:11.)288 The power to "bind and loose" connotes the
authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make
disciplinary decisions in the Church. Jesus entrusted this authority to the
Church through the ministry of the apostles (Compare Matthew 18:18. )289 and in particular through the ministry of
Peter, the only one to whom he specifically entrusted the keys of the kingdom. –CCC
IN BRIEF
567 The kingdom of heaven was inaugurated
on earth by Christ. "This kingdom shone out before men in the word, in the
works and in the presence of Christ" (Lumen
Gentium 5). The Church is the seed and beginning of this kingdom. Its
keys are entrusted to Peter. --CCC
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