Jesus Calls the Apostles - Vocation Lesson 1

Vocation

• Derived from Latin "Vocare," meaning to call.
• Represents both a strong desire for a career and a divine call to a religious life.
• The Church defines vocation as God's call to a distinct state of life for achieving holiness.
• The Second Vatican Council emphasizes a universal call to holiness within the Church.

Three Callings of the Church

• Single Blessedness: Involves serving in ministry without a commitment to marriage or religious life.
• Married Life: Embodies mutual self-giving; symbolizes God's radical love as a sacrament.
• Religious Life: Involves lifelong sacrifice to serve faith, continue Christ's work, and establish His kingdom.

Twelve Apostles

• Simon Peter:

  • Real Name: Petros ("Rock").
  • Fisherman from Capernaum; chosen leader of the apostles.
  • Denied Jesus thrice; witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration.
  • Crucified upside down; remains at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome.

• Andrew:

  • Real Name: Andreios ("Manly").
  • Brother of Peter, first disciple of John the Baptist; his death was on an X-shaped cross.
  • Remains at Patras, Greece.

• James the Great:

  • Real Name: Yaqob ("Supplanter").
  • Brother of John, first apostle martyred; beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I.
  • Remains at St. James Church, Compostela, Spain.

• John the Beloved:

  • Real Name: Yohanan ("God is Gracious").
  • Part of Jesus' inner circle; known for surviving martyrdom; wrote the Book of Revelation.
  • Died a natural death; remains at Basilica of St. John, Turkey.

• Philip:

  • Real Name: Philippos ("Horse Lover").
  • Assisted in Jesus' miracles, including the feeding of the 5000.
  • Death associated with old age or crucifixion; remains at Holy Apostles Basilica, Rome.

• Bartholomew/Nathaniel:

  • Real Name: Bartholomew ("Son of Thalmai").
  • Introduced to Jesus by Philip; flayed alive and beheaded.
  • Remains at St. Bartholomew Church, Rome.

• Matthew/Levi:

  • Real Name: Levi, Mattityahu ("Gift of Yahweh").
  • Tax collector turned apostle, author of a Gospel.
  • Stabbed with a sword; remains at Cathedral of Salerno, Italy.

• Thomas:

  • Real Name: Ta Oma ("Twin") or Didymus.
  • Known as "Doubting Thomas"; made a profound declaration of faith upon seeing Jesus' wounds.
  • Died by spear thrust; remains at Basilica of St. Thomas, Italy, or St. Thomas Cathedral, India.

• James the Less:

  • Real Name: James son of Alphaeus.
  • Present at the upper room after Jesus' ascension; stoned then clubbed to death.
  • Remains at Basilica dei Santi XII Apostoli, Rome.

• Simon the Zealot:

  • Real Name: Simon the Canaanite.
  • Identified as an extremist zealot; mentioned multiple times in the Bible.
  • Died by crucifixion or sawn in half; remains at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.

• Jude Thaddeus:

  • Real Name: Thaddai ("Brave Heart") or Jude.
  • Known for his humility and tenderness; met a martyr's death by beheading.
  • Remains at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.

• Judas Iscariot:

  • Real Name: Yahuda ʾĪš Qǝrīyyōṯ ("to praise").
  • Betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver; known as the purse keeper of the apostles.
  • Died by suicide; remains located at Akeldama.

• Matthias:

  • Real Name: Tolmai.
  • Chosen to replace Judas Iscariot; preached in Judea and Ethiopia.
  • Died by stoning or crucifixion; remains at Abbey of St. Matthias, Trier, Germany.

Explore the foundational themes of vocation in Christianity as presented in Unit 1, Lesson 1. This quiz examines Jesus’ calling of the apostles and the Church’s understanding of divine vocation. Gain insights into the significance of being called to a religious life according to the Second Vatican Council.