Jesus is guided by the Almighty Father and appoints His 12 Apostles. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by building the Virtue of Truth so he can imitate the Apostles by fearlessly proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church and by growing in the Virtue of Duty so he can be a heroic sacrificial leader of his family.
Commentary
As His impact grows and opposition mounts, Jesus appoints the men who will lead His Holy Catholic Church. After an all-night prayer vigil with God the Father on a mountain (Lk 6:12), Jesus hand-selects 12 men to be His Apostles (meaning “to be sent”).
Jesus’ selection of 12 Jewish men is purposeful. Sending 12 Jewish men to Israel symbolically represents God’s desire for the 12 tribes, the “lost sheep of Israel”, to be the first healed and drawn into His Kingdom. Jesus exclusively chooses men to establish a new priesthood for His New Covenant and to confirm men are to lead His Holy Catholic Church.
Each of the Apostles (excluding Judas) are patriarchs (“Fathers”) of the Church who heroically give their lives to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. Simon Peter is the first pope, is the source for Mark’s Gospel, writes 1st and 2nd Peter, and is martyred in Rome. James the Greater, preached in Judea and was martyred in Jerusalem. John, is directed by Jesus to watch over the Virgin Mary, writes the Gospel of John, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, and Revelation; he is exiled to Patmos. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, evangelized Greeks and was crucified in Patras on an X-shaped cross. Philip evangelized in modern day Turkey and was crucified upside down. Bartholomew (also called Nathanael) evangelized in India and was flayed (skinned) to death. Matthew preached to the Jews in Judea and Ethiopia, and was martyred. Thomas preached in India and was martyred by spear. James the Lesser was thrown from the Temple wall, stoned, and clubbed to death. Thaddeus (also called Jude) evangelized in Syria and was killed with an axe. Simon Cananaean (also called the Zealot) may have evangelized in Britain and Spain, and was sawn in half.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Marvel at how Jesus, the Divine King and greatest Leader of men, identifies, recruits, prepares, commands, and builds a powerful Fraternity (a part of Justice) amongst the original “Band of Brothers”, the 12 Apostles, to establish His Holy Catholic Church that has spanned time and the globe and endures forever.
Fearlessly proclaim the Truth of Jesus and His Holy Catholic Church
Realize: While many today deny objective truth, Jesus proclaims to be the “Truth” and His loyal Apostles and millions of others have been willingly martyred for Truth.
Believe: Reflect upon Truth (CCC 2464-2513).
Pray: Jesus, Divine Truth, help me build the Virtue of Truth (a part of Justice) so I zealously and charitably proclaim Your Truth and many souls are drawn to You and Your Holy Catholic Church.
Be the heroic, sacrificial leader of your family
Realize: Despite modern opposition to the essential role of men as leaders, throughout salvation history, God has emphasized male headship: God is revealed as Father; God appoints men to lead Israel; the Son of God incarnates as Jesus; God establishes St. Joseph as the head of the Holy Family; Jesus selects men to establish and lead His Holy Catholic Church; God calls men to be “heads” of their families (Gen 3:16, 1 Cor 11:3, Eph 5:24, Col 3:18, 1 Pet 3:1, 1 Tim 2:11, Titus 2:4-5).
Believe: Reflect upon Male Leadership/Headship (CCC 50-64, 261-267, 1312, 1577, 2214, 2571).
Pray: Jesus, Son of Man, help me grow in the Virtue of Duty/Responsibility (a part of Justice) so I fearlessly accept the headship You have given me and do my sacred duty to lead my family as a husband and father; St. Joseph, head of the Holy Family, pray for me.