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Saturday, August 24, 2013

The Dilemma Regarding the Apostles


In this morning's readings on the feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Saint John Chrysostom, in a homily on the first letter to the Corinthians (Hom. 4, 3. 4: PG 61, 34-36), marvels over the fact that twelve uneducated, simple men, the apostles, could have affected the world the way they did.  I agree.  In fact, the fact that these apostles did this, is proof that Jesus is who He says He is.

Think about it.  Why would these simple men leave "hearth and home" to follow this unknown rabbi from Nazareth?  Why would they stay?

Money?  They died poor.

Power?  They had no human authority.

Respect?  They were driven out of towns and thrown in prison.  And the majority of them died torturous deaths.

Then why?

Indeed, Jesus must be the Messiah.


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