Recollection on Apostleship for High School Students.pptx

Recollection on Apostleship for High School Students

1. GOOD MORNING SEBASTINIANS!

2. Gospel Reading: The Twelve Apostles Mark 3: 13-19 Then Jesus went up into the hill country, and called those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed Twelve to be with him, and he called them ‘apostles.’ He wanted to send them out to preach; and he gave them authority to drive out demons. These are the Twelve: Simon , to whom he gave the name Peter; James , son of Zebedee, and John his brother...; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean , and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

3. APOSTLESHIP

4. Who are the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ? Simon Peter (Fisherman), Andrew (Fisherman), James the Son of Zebedee , John the Beloved, Matthew (Tax collector), James the Son of Alpheus, Thomas (Doubter), Simon (Zealot), Bartholomew, Philip, Jude, Judas (Traitor), [Matthias]

5. WHAT WERE EXPECTED FROM THE APOSTLES? They were the designated followers of Jesus. They were taught to interiorize his teaching before being sent to preach, to drive away demons, and make others believe of the salvation the Jesus Christ brings.

6. Jesus' choice of twelve disciples to form an inner circle of followers served to symbolize the truth that he had come to build a new house of Israel. The Twelve formed the nucleus of this new people of God, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel, and signifying God's saving activity at work in Jesus and his followers.

7. Who are your inner circle? Who are y our spiritual squad? Who are y our community?

8. The apostles were the eye- and ear- witnesses of his revelation. Apostle in Latin “ apostolus ” means “messenger; he who is sent forth.” An apostle is sent to deliver or spread those teachings to others. The word "apostle" has two meanings, the larger meaning of a messenger and the narrow meaning to denote the twelve people directly linked to Jesus Christ.

9. HUMAN SPEECH Dictionary of Biblical Theology, 246 Human speech- a simple means of communication among men, speech expresses the person , participates in his dynamism, and somehow efficacious. Hence, its importance in human behavior . In judging a man’s worth, speech is a touchstone by which he can be tested (Si 27, 4-7) A fitting speech or an opportune response is a treasure and a joy (Pr 15, 23; 25,11) , for there “is a time to speak and a time to keep silent” ( Qo 3, 7). He must restrain his speech (Si 1, 24) , weigh his words, put a latch on his mouth (Si 28, 25; Ps 39, 2; 141, 3), and be slow to speak ( Jm 1, 19) For the mouth speaks rom the abundance of the heart, and in such a way that good man brings out a treasure from within him (Lk 6, 45). Speaking under the action of the Holy Spirit , he can edify, exhort , and console his brothers ( 1 Co 14, 3); for his human speech then expresses the Word of God. Your message?

10. ASK YOURSELF: What type of messages do you bring to your parents, siblings, relatives, classmates, or teachers? Do you bring good news; words of kindness, encouragement, blessings to people you meet? Do you relay rumours, gossips or misinformation that destroy the dignity of others?

11. THE TWELVE APOSTLES WERE NOT PERFECT. As humans, they also had their own flaws and failures.

12. God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the ones He called.

13. ASK YOURSELF: Can you identify your imperfections, lapses, misgivings, and shortcomings in life? Do you humbly accept the ugly realities about yourself? How do you handle them? Do you do something to improve yourself? Do you remain stubborn about your flaws and neglect the opportunity for growth and development?

14. Disciples vs. Apostles: Differences in Meaning While a   disciple  is a student, one who learns from a teacher, an   apostle  is sent to deliver those teachings to others. We can say that all apostles were disciples but all disciples are not apostles. Jesus chose twelve Disciples and this inner circle of men came to be known as Apostles who were entrusted to spread the message of Jesus throughout the world so that eventually there would be many Disciples.

15. The Gospel proclamation knows no boundaries In his last words to the apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ gave them a mission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).

16. Twelve men responded to the call. They were Jews, commoners, and simple men of faith who gave up everything to be followers of Christ. Jesus spent three years training them to be leaders. Jesus’ plan was to eventually have the disciples take over and carry on the work He had started. To make sure that the apostles’ teachings would be passed down after the deaths of the apostles, Paul told Timothy, “What you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

17. APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION is the line of bishops stretching back to the apostles. All over the world, all Catholic bishops are part of a lineage that goes back to the time of the apostles.

18. SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL Presbyteorum Ordinis : “Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests” December 7, 1965 2. “Therefore, having sent the apostles just as he himself been sent by the Father, Christ, through the apostles themselves, made their successors, the bishops, sharers in his consecration and mission. The office of their ministry has been handed down, in a lesser degree indeed, to the priests. Established in the order of the priesthood they can be co-workers of the episcopal order for the proper fulfillment of the apostolic mission entrusted to priests by Christ.”

19. “The true measure of leadership is influence . Nothing more, nothing less.” - John C. Maxwell author, speaker, and pastor

20. ASK YOURSELF: Who do you follow and emulate? Who are the ones you look up to in the society? Who are your life’s biggest influences? Whose leadership do you trust the most? Do you try to become a good influencer or leader to your family, friends, co-church members?

21. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23 What is it to be an apostle? SELF-DENIAL

22. Self-denial is about making SACRIFICES. A  sacrifice  is a loss or something you give up, usually for the sake of a better cause.

23. self-denial is SELFLESS act “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 

24. ASK YOURSELF: Are you willing to leave behind the things that matter to you to attain a higher good? What sacrifices did you remember doing out of love? What forms of self-denial have you done for the Lord? What are the things you are willing to give up on behalf of the people dear to you?

25. John 13:12- 15 “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.    Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.   I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  

26. God.

27. There are simple WAYS TO SERVE THE LORD THROUGH OTHERS Service isn’t an option. Service is a responsibility. It is a responsibility you need to take seriously and one you should embrace joyfully.

28. Be kind to strangers Remember someone Pray for those in need Share food Share your time Share your money Share your stuff Share your talents Share the Word of God

29. ASK YOURSELF: How do you show an act of service to your neighbour and God? What type of people do you find yourself comfortable serving? Does it include orphans, the poor, the sick, strangers, the suffering, the handicapped, the differently- abled ? the oppressed? Are you only rendering service to a selective group of individuals? Or are you open to serve all types of people who come to your life?

30. “Christ carries his own cross, he invites you to carry yours too.” Take up your Cross

31. What Does “Take Up Your Cross” Mean? Opposition: A cross was used to execute criminals who had the state of Rome in opposition to them. Shame: This execution was reserved for the worst criminals, and the victim was usually naked on a cross for hours. Suffering: This kind of execution was designed to prolong excruciating pain. Death: The aim of crucifixion was death, not torture followed by release.

32. The Triumph of the Cross (An excerpt from a homily by Saint John Chrysostom) “ All this was the glorious result of the cross. The cross is our trophy raised against the demons, our sword against sin, and the sword Christ used to pierce the serpent. The cross is the Father’s will, the glory of the Only-begotten, the joy of the Spirit, the pride of the angels, the guarantee of the Church, St. Paul’s boast, the bulwark of the saints, and the light of the entire world.”   .

33. The Persecutions of the Apostles John 15: 18- 19 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

34. Sharing the Passion of Jesus Christ As Christians, we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us understand that the sufferings of our life are the continuation of Christ’s own passion. We have to accept our way of the cross. We have to believe that it will lead us to our resurrection with the Lord Jesus Christ.

35. “ Persevere like a seed, even when people try to bury you, flourish.” - Matshona Dhliwayo

36. ASK YOURSELF: What are your crosses (problems, struggles, persecutions and sufferings) in life? How are you addressing your own experience of passion in life? What could be the heaviest cross you have carried so far? What attitude do you show in the face of challenges and obstacles? Do you bear your crosses with patience, endurance, joy and hope?

37.   Take up your cross, the Savior said, If you would my disciple be; Deny yourself, the world forsake, And humbly follow after me.   Take up your cross, let not its weight Fill your weak spirit with alarm; His strength shall bear your spirit up, Shall brace your heart and nerve your arm.   Take up your cross then in his strength, And every danger calmly brave, To guide you to a better home, And victory over death and grave .   Take up your cross and follow Christ, Nor think till death to lay it down; For only he who bears the cross May hope to wear the glorious crown.   To you, great Lord, the One in three, All praise for evermore ascend; O grant us here below to see The heavenly life that knows no end.       The Liturgy of the Hours, Daytime Prayer Lenten Hymn, Before Holy Week Text : Charles William Everest Tune: Bourbon “Take Up Your Cross”

38. WITNESSING FOR CHRIST! The primary function of the apostles was to witness to Christ. Pope Francis: “A Christian who doesn't give witness is unfathomable.“ Christian witnessing is all about revealing the unseen Jesus in people's lives. To put all of your faith and all of your love into someone you can't see…  

39. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

40. ASK YOURSELF: How do you witness to God? Do you stand on behalf of Christ to your family, friends and acquaintances? Do people see you as a threat or an obstacle in their lives? Are you able to represent the goodness, forgiveness and humility of Christ everywhere you go and to everyone you meet? Do people feel the presence of Christ in you?

41. SHARING

42. Whatever is your calling Respond to it! THE LORD CALLS With this Exhortation ( Gaudete et Exultate ) I would like to insist primarily on the call to holiness that the Lord addresses to each of us, the call that he also addresses, personally, to you: “Be holy, for I am holy” ( Lev  11:44; cf.  1 Pet  1:16). -Pope Francis

43. “Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in a path of holiness. Let everything be open to God; turn to him in every situation. (Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exultate , 15) To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case . We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves . ” (Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exultate,14). APOSTLESHIP AND HOLINESS

44. WE ARE CALLED TO BE MODERN DAY APOSTLES: Positive Messengers Perfection Seekers Good Influencers Joyful Sufferers Other- Centered Service- Oriented Living Witnesses

45. Be my apostle!