Disciples and Apostles

Disciples and Apostles

Are you one of these?  Are you both of these?

I would suggest that we are both:

Disciples – “Followers” to learn from; eg. Jesus.

But also consider that we are disciples of our parents.  Just like Jesus prepared His disciples (and us) our parents prepare us in various ways for things, events, activities that will come later in our life.

Also disciples and discipling can be closely related to “discipline/disciplining”.  But don’t just look at discipline/disciplining in a negative way.  It can also be for teachable moments, possibly helping us to improve/change ways we do things.

Apostles – “Ones who are sent”; Jesus sent His apostles on missions

We too are prepared for and sent on missions, from various groups (family, Church, work-related, etc.).  And our “mission field” is immense/vast.

At the end of each Mass we hear “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,” or “Go and live the Gospel with your lives.”  The words at the end of the Latin Mass are “Ite misio est” (Go and share the mission).  We are missionaries (by our Baptism/faith), sent out to bring Jesus (who we have received) to all those God brings to our path.

Be disciples (continually/constantly), be Apostles (mission-minded, mission-able)!