Apostolic Succession

Gospel Reflection for Wednesday, July 10th, 2024

Icon of the Twelve Apostles

“Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.” Matthew 10:1-4

Today’s Gospel is an important one as it is Christ establishing the College of Apostles. He summons these twelve specific men for a specific mission. He sets these twelve aside from the many followers that He has collected. This is a monumental checkpoint in the history of the Church and of the Catholic Faith.

As we profess at Mass in the Nicene Creed, the Church is “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.” These are traditionally called the Four Marks of the Church. The mark of Apostolicity is demonstrated in today’s Gospel. Christ calls these twelve men to assume the role of Apostle, that is, One who is sent. He sends them out to drive out demons and to heal people stricken with sickness and disease. Most importantly, He sends them out with authority.

The aspect of authority is the foundation of the mark of Apostolicity. It is the authority given to these men, set apart from all others, that constitutes the continuation of the Church. Christ sends them out with His own authority. Up until this point in the Gospels, Our Blessed Lord was the one who was healing and casting out demons. He was preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God that has come. But now He is commissioning the twelve to go out and do what He was doing. This is a passing on of authority as well as a preparation for the Twelve for after the Ascension. It will be up to them to “make disciples of all nations.”¹

It is this same Apostolic authority that the Apostles passed down to the next generation of those whom we call Bishops. The early church is filled with examples of what is referenced as Apostolic Succession. Look no further than the succession of Judas found in Acts chapter 1. Clearly, we can see in today’s Gospel, that Judas was given the same authority as the other Apostles. He was welcomed and commissioned just like them and yet, he falls away and goes to his own place. In light of this, St. Peter, moved by the Holy Spirit, puts forth a vote for Judas’ successor. St. Mathias is chosen and takes up the mission of Judas. To think that this succession of authority simply ended here is absurd. The Apostles continued ordaining successors who then went on and ordained their own successors. Each has the authority of the Apostles given to them first by Jesus Christ.

This is the foundation of the Catholic Church, built on the Rock of St. Peter, and guided by the Holy Spirit for 2000 years. It is through Apostolic Succession that the Sacraments are passed down to us and administered to us. Look further than the Holy Eucharist. Christ commands the Apostles at the Last Supper to “Do this in memory of me.”² This is not a simple scrapbook memory like some think. It is a command to imitate Christ. To take the bread and the wine, say the words of consecration, and transubstantiate the bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. This is what Christ is commanding them to do in His memory.

The Gospel today reminds us that our Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles. Listed first is always Blessed Peter who is the Rock and the first Pope. He is chosen by God to be the one to lead the Church as the Vicar of Christ after the Ascension. The rest of the College of Apostles work with him to bring about the Kingdom of God and to make disciples of all nations.

1. Cf. Matthew 28:19.

2. Cf. Luke 21:19.