Do you consider yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Although clearly not one of the Twelve, do you see yourself as an apostle? Do you show others God’s love, mercy, and hope like those first chosen by Christ? The word apostle translates into one sent on mission. Have you discerned the mission God has set you apart for, something only you can do that in some way brings the Good News to others? A mission made possible by living in the light of Christ, never crushed or discouraged by circumstances, as one who trusts in Him alone.
An apostle has been summoned, called, or appointed to preach, bearing some responsibility to proclaim the Gospel. A summons can be defined as an urgent demand for help—being called upon for specific action; how you answer will look different for everyone. For me, this call became my profession—leaving behind one career to embrace a new one as an evangelist. For others, it may look more like sharing the faith at home, parish, or community as a volunteer or simply living the Catholic faith in a way that reflects Christ to others.
Discipleship needs to be rooted in grace found compellingly through prayer, Scripture, and participation in the sacraments. Before appointing the twelve to be sent out preaching, Luke reveals that Jesus retreated to a time of silence, alone with the Father, and spent all night praying. (Lk 6:12)
God has entrusted the message of reconciliation to each of us, making us ambassadors, just as he did the first apostles. It is a participation in the mission of Christ not just to watch others perform the work of God but to be alive, fully engaged, and active within it ourselves. We fulfill our baptismal promise to profess the faith by sharing it with others. Our contribution to preaching the Gospel can be as simple as how we live our lives, whether in our homes, parishes, family, or communities.
As often accredited to Saint Francis, preaching does not always involve words but, more importantly, our actions and how others see us. God, out of pure love, brought you into being. In an abundance of his love, we exist. Created to know, love, and serve him, the Scriptures teach that the greatest of these is always love. God gives us the freedom to accept or reject a life of faith. The first apostles accepted the call to come and follow Him—to grow nearer, pick up their crosses, and embrace the gift of salvation through Christ.
So, do you consider yourself an apostle of Jesus Christ? How will you demonstrate God’s love, mercy, and hope like those first chosen by Christ? Will you accept the invitation to the mission God has for you? In humble obedience give yourself and your life to Him who loved you into being.
¿Te consideras un discípulo de Jesucristo? Aunque claramente no eres uno de los Doce, ¿te ves como un apóstol? ¿Muestras a los demás el amor, la misericordia y la esperanza de Dios como los primeros elegidos por Cristo? La palabra apóstol se traduce como alguien enviado a una misión. ¿Has discernido la misión para la que Dios te ha apartado, algo que solo tú puedes hacer y que de alguna manera lleva la Buena Nueva a los demás? Una misión hecha posible al vivir a la luz de Cristo, nunca aplastado ni desanimado por las circunstancias, como alguien que confía solo en Él.
Un apóstol ha sido convocado, llamado o designado para predicar, y tiene cierta responsabilidad de proclamar el Evangelio. Una convocatoria puede definirse como una solicitud urgente de ayuda, un llamado para una acción específica; la forma en que respondas será diferente para cada persona. Para mí, este llamado se convirtió en mi profesión: dejar atrás una carrera para abrazar una nueva como evangelista. Para otros, puede parecer más como compartir la fe en el hogar, la parroquia o la comunidad como voluntario o simplemente vivir la fe católica de una forma que refleje a Cristo a los demás.
El discipulado debe tener sus raíces en la gracia, lo cual se encuentra de manera convincente en la oración, la Escritura y la participación en los sacramentos. Antes de designar a los Doce para que fueran enviados a predicar, Lucas revela que Jesús se retiró a un tiempo de silencio, a solas con el Padre, y pasó toda la noche orando. (Lc 6,12)
Dios ha confiado el mensaje de la reconciliación a cada uno de nosotros, haciéndonos embajadores, tal como hizo con los primeros apóstoles. Es una participación en la misión de Cristo no solo para ver a otros realizar la obra de Dios, sino para estar vivos, plenamente comprometidos y activos en ella nosotros mismos. Cumplimos nuestra promesa bautismal de profesar la fe compartiéndola con los demás. Nuestra contribución a la predicación del Evangelio puede ser tan sencilla como la forma en que vivimos nuestras vidas, ya sea dentro del hogar, la parroquia, la familia o las comunidades.
Como a menudo se le atribuye a San Francisco, la predicación no siempre implica palabras sino, más importante aún, nuestras acciones y cómo nos ven los demás. Dios, por puro amor, te creó. En una abundancia de su amor, existimos. Creados para conocerlo, amarlo y servirlo, las Escrituras enseñan que el mayor de ellos es siempre el amor. Dios nos da la libertad de aceptar o rechazar una vida de fe. Los primeros apóstoles aceptaron el llamado de venir y seguirlo, a acercarse más a Él, a tomar sus cruces y abrazar el don de la salvación a través de Cristo.
¿Y tú? ¿Te consideras un apóstol de Jesucristo? ¿Cómo demostrarás el amor, la misericordia y la esperanza de Dios como los primeros que Cristo eligió? ¿Aceptarás la invitación a la misión que Dios te tiene? En humilde obediencia, entrégate a ti mismo y tu vida a Aquel que te amó y te hizo existir.
Allison Gingras (www.ReconciledToYou.com ) shares an everyday Catholic faith with humor and honesty. Her writing includes The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV), Encountering Signs of Faith (Ave Maria Press), and the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women (Our Sunday Visitor), with a new edition “Jesus Heals,” coming in 2025. Allison is the Director of Digital Evangelization for Family Rosary USA.Feature Image Credit: Sergei Gussev, unsplash.com/photos/a-river-with-a-bridge-and-a-church-in-the-background-G7Lk2p4NY1Y
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Hailing from Nashville, Catherine is a graduate of Christendom College with a lifelong passion for words. Her love of writing and her Catholic Faith continue to shape her as a freelance editor, copywriter, and (aspiring) novelist, where she pursues her passions for the love and greater glory of God.
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