Explication
Every day
Biblical commentaries
“Here are the names of the twelve Apostles…” Yesterday we met a miraculous deaf-mute who, along with the person who introduced him to Jesus, will remain forever anonymous. Here, on the contrary, Matthew endeavors to give us the names of the Apostles, specified, for several of them, by family or personal characteristics, as if to underline how unique their role is. And two thousand years later, the Church gives us these names to hear again and again. Thus, our relationship with God is enriched by a relationship with each of these brothers, companions of Christ from the first hour and first links in the long chain through which the treasure of the Gospel reaches us today.
Why were they chosen, more than others, for this mission? Our aspiration for equality could sometimes make us forget that God does not act uniformly with everyone. This may shock us. But it is constant in the Bible that the privileges granted by him to a few are for the benefit of all.
One day, the nature of this mysterious bond that unites us to Simon-Pierre, André, Jacques, Jean and their companions will be revealed to us. We will then rejoice in their own grace, as they rejoice in ours. Why not start now, by including in this spiritual friendship those whom life allows us to meet?
Other readings: Hos 10, 1… 12; Psa 104
