Being an apostle …
By Pat Branson
See
In 2013, when Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus he concluded his homily with an exhortation to “ask the Lord today to make us missionaries in the Church, apostles in the Church, but with this spirit: a great magnanimity and also a great humility.” Apostles are those who are sent on a mission: that is the meaning of the word “apostle.” What do apostles do that all Christians can do? Cardinal Joseph Cardijn was once described as “the workers’ apostle.” He lived his commitment to young workers through accompanying them in their lives and in their work.
In the third of a series of lectures, which he titled The Young Worker Faces Life, Cardijn said, “… the Church needs working-class apostles and missionaries. The apostles of the workers will be workers.” Elsewhere in his lectures, he outlines what distinguishes the worker as an apostle from other workers. For example, “He is a ray of sunshine in his district. He is on the lookout to help people; he is amiable and civil; he is different from other young workers. The same on the bus or the train; among his mates; with the youngsters; with the girls.” If I am interpreting him correctly, Cardijn presents an understanding of what it means to be an apostle that is presented also by Pope Francis. Both apostles demonstrate the art of accompaniment.
Judge
In the Gospel reading for the Mass of the day, we hear about the invitation Jesus extended to the followers of John the Baptist, who came to learn from him. The Gospel reading is an invitation to us to spend time with Jesus. We know from the Gospel and from the living Tradition of the Church that those who spend time with Jesus are then sent by him into the world to encourage others to also follow Jesus.
Andrew was one of the men who spent time with Jesus. He left Jesus’ home and went straight to his brother Simon to tell him that he had met the Messiah. He invited Peter to meet Jesus, which he did … and the rest is history. We learn from the Gospel that the apostles spent time with Jesus to learn from him how to live in the way that God intends. Each of them heard, “Follow me,” the invitation that they, as workers, never expected to hear. Only the brightest among the young men heard the invitation from the rabbi. The invitation conveyed Jesus’ respect for them. He valued their presence in his life. He loved them.
Act
Apostles have to love those they are sent to invite into a relationship with Jesus. That love shows in their generosity of spirit and their humility. Cardijn’s reference to being the “ray of sunshine,” the polite and civil and helpful person with friends in the workplace, in the home and out in the community. All this is summed up in that word “accompaniment.”
Being an apostle starts with one’s relationship with Jesus. It’s the communication we have with him in prayer that will provide insight into how to act as an apostle. One simple action that can turn us in the direction taken by all apostles is to find a time each day to spend with Jesus and to acknowledge that he says to us “Follow me.” Ask him for the gifts of generosity and humility because being an apostle is never about us.
Read the Young Worker Faces Life
https://www.josephcardijn.com/en/item/47
About Pat Branson
I am an Aussie Catholic, married and living in Western Australia in the presence of God. I have been involved in Catholic education for most of my life, teaching and leading in the field of religious education. I quit the classroom at the end of 2020 and am now engaged in research and writing, something that I started in my postgraduate studies. For almost two-thirds of my life, I have been influenced by Cardinal Joseph Cardijn through the movements he founded, particularly the YCS. I hope this reflection bears testimony to the good work done forming me by Jocists young and old.