23rd Week in Ordinary Time 2022 - Tuesday - Apostolic Zeal

The Church was built on the foundation of the Apostles, whose call we hear in today from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 6:12-19).  

There’s a story where the angels welcome Jesus to heaven after his death, resurrection, and ascension. The angels ask the Lord, “what was that all about”. Jesus answered, “The redemption of the world”. “But you have come back here,” said the angels. “How will the world know of it?” The Lord replied, “I have trained my men.” “To evangelize the whole world? How many men did you train for such a mammoth undertaking?” the angels asked. “Twelve” the Lord replied. “Twelve! Just a handful! What if they fail?” “They will not fail.”

2000 years later. Here we are. The apostles preached, and the Church has grown from a small seed, to an oak tree that has spanned millennia. And yet, we know that the mission continues, for there are still corners of the world, where the Gospel needs to be preached. Corners of this country, corners of this neighborhood. Every generation opens up a new corner of the world for the Gospel to be preached. 

This parish has been given a share in that task. What do we need to be equipped for that task?

The drive that pushed the apostles into the world, we call, “apostolic zeal”. Apostolic zeal. No matter our state in the church—single, married, religious, priest—catechist, administrator, widow—we are to have zeal—to be zealous for the mission of the Church, zealous for holiness, zealous for souls. If we are not zealous there is a fire that has grown dim. Zeal is not the same as mindless fanaticism—it is not born from setting aside our reason. Christian zeal, apostolic zeal, is the most reasonable course of action possible: it is rooted in the pursuit of the highest goods—desiring the highest good for ourselves and for others—holiness on earth that leads to eternal life with God. 

“Zeal,” as St. Thomas explains, “is an effect of intense love. The love of God impels us to labor for the extension of his kingdom in souls, and the love of those souls enables us to forget ourselves so that we think of nothing but of sanctifying them in and for God.” 

This is the zeal that animated the lives of the Apostles. This is the zeal that urged St. Paul to become all things to all men in order to gain all, and gave him that beautiful sympathy by which his whole being was united with others in their joys and sufferings and sorrows (cf. 1 Cor. 9:22). 

May the Holy Spirit, through the intercession and example of the Apostles, increase our zeal by increasing our love, and give us courage, and strength, and all that we need to labor for the spread of the Gospel, the glory of God, and salvation of souls.

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As the Apostles witnessed to the Resurrection of the Lord, may we be his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world.

For the bishops, the successors of the apostles: That they may be courageous in stirring up the flame of faith and defending the Church from error and mighty in apostolic zeal.

That our parish may build up missionary disciples equipped for working together for the spread of the Gospel.

For all the sick and suffering, especially victims of natural disaster, poverty, abuse and addiction, for consolation of the grieving and comfort of the dying. 

For all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord