Lesson 13

Jesus,the anointed one,Began His public life,preaching the Gospel.Jesus chose 12 persons to share his mission .They are called the apostles.The meaning of them ‘Sleeha’  or  Apostle is one who is sent.The twelve apostles are Peter,Andrews,Jacob,John,Philip,Bartholomew,Thomas,Mathew,Jacob-son of Helpai,Thadeus(Jude),Simon,Judas Iscariot.

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions:…….As you go,proclaim the good news,’The kingdom of heaven has come near;’Cure the sick,raise the dead,cleanse the leapers,cast out demons”(Matthew 10: 5-8).

The disciples went to different places,preached the Kingdom of God,healed the sick and performed miracles.

We have already learnt about the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles on the Day of Penecost after the resurrection of Jesus.

The risen Jesus said to the apostles:”As the Father has sent me,so I send You”(John 20:21).”Go into the all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation”

(Mark 16:15).Obeying this command of Jesus,the disciples went to different parts of the world and preached the Gospel.Peter was their leader.He became a martyr in Rome.Popes are his successors.It is the Pope,the head of the Catholic Church,who leads the Church and gives leadership in spreading the Gospel.

St.Thomas , one of the apostles,came to India,

Preached the Gospel and became a martyr

At Chinnamalai of Mailapur near Chennai.

Since the apostles were sent with the anointing of the Holy Spirit,they were able to preach the Gospel all over the world.Many people came to know and believe in Jesus through their preaching.The Holy Spirit strengthened the apostles giving them His gifts and charisms of faith,speech,prophecy,vision,wisdom,interpretation,healing,working miracles and so on.These charisms helped and empowered the disciples to proclaim the Gospel.

We who receive the Holy Spirit in baptism and anointing are also given special gifts and charisms.The Holy spirit gives these gifts and charisms to proclaim the gospel and to witness to Jesus.Let us receive these gifts and charisms and strive to proclaim the Gospel and witness Jesus in our thoughts,words and deeds.

Let us pray

Jesus who anointed the disciples

And sent them to the world to preach

The Gospel,help me to be a witness to the Gospel.

Let us sing

Twelve apostles followed Jesus:

Peter,Andrew,James and John,

Philp,Bartholomew,

James and Thadeus,

Simon and Matthias;

The last was chosen to replace Judas.

These twelve apostles witnessed to Jesus.

My decision

I will use my special gifts and talents of which

                                            God has given me for the good others.