THE ONE TRUE CHURCH

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified, and Resurrected. I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I believe in the resurrection of the body. I believe in life everlasting, Amen.

CC5 …. What was the relationship between Christ and the Twelve ?
1. After choosing His Apostles, there developed a most particular relationship between them and the Lord. Significantly, Mark gives an idea of this relationship, saying: “He appointed the twelve to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons. (Mk. 3: 14 – 15).

2. To the twelve, Christ revealed the true nature of His Messianic Mission, that is, He would restore the Kingdom of God through His Suffering and Death, followed by the Resurrection (Mt.16: 21; 17:22)

3. The Last Supper, however, is the highest expression of the unique relationship between Christ and the Twelve. Jesus “earnestly desired” (Lk. 22:15) to celebrate the Pasch exclusively with them….”When it was evening, He sat at table with the Twelve Disciples.” (Mt.26: 20; Mk.14: 17; Lk.22: 14)

4. Although the Holy Spirit is “the Gift” given to all, yet, Christ promised to send Him to the Twelve in a particular manner.
“I will pray the Father and He will send you another Counsellor, to be with you, the Spirit of Truth….but the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance, all that I have said to you. (Jn. 14:16; 25, 26).

5. Although he appeared to many after the Resurrection, Luke informs us that he ascended into heaven, “……. after having given commandment through the Holy Spirit, to the Apostles He had chosen. To them he presented Himself alive, after His Passion, by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking about the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 1: 1 – 3). /CC6

Extracts by kind permission of HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.