Bible Readings and Reflections

After my Holy Land Pilgrimage, I will note down my regular (at least once a week) Bible Readings and Reflections.

Bible Reading and Reflection (19sept30 - 19oct6)

Every encounter with the Word of God is a call to METANOIA, change of heart. Something must change in our value system, attitude and behavior.

My Holy Land Pilgrimage (September 5 to 14, 2019) has been a call to METANOIA.

Resolution:

Will formulate ROJoson’s After Holy Land Pilgrimage reset and refocused Intentional Life Plan putting more emphasis on:

• Got’s two greatest commandments:

  • Love GOD with all my mind and heart

  • Love my neighbors with service and compassion (Man for Others)

• Catholic Holy Bible

• Study more

• Apply more

• Contentment in my life on earth

• Preparation for end of life and afterlife

Bible Reading and Reflection (19sept30 - 19oct6)

Attitude of a Servant

Luke 17:5-10

"when you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do."

Jesus teaches his disciples to be humble always. Even if we do what is expected of us, we should not expect a word of thanks.

Bible Reading and Reflection (19sept30 - 19oct6)

Apostles vs Disciples

12 Apostles vs 72 Disciples

What is the difference?

https://aleteia.org/2018/01/18/whats-the-difference-between-an-apostle-and-a-disciple/

While a disciple is a student, one who learns from a teacher, an apostle is sent to deliver those teachings to others. "Apostle" means messenger, he who is sent. An apostle is sent to deliver or spread those teachings to others. ... We can say that all apostles were disciples but all disciples are not apostles.

The 12 apostles were identified in the Scripture but not the 72 disciples (Luke 10: 1-12; 17-24)

Jesus told his apostles to "go" and that's exactly what they did, taking the Gospel to different parts of the world.

https://aleteia.org/2017/07/21/whatever-happened-to-the-twelve-apostles/

Before Jesus ascended into Heaven he said to his apostles, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Having a divine mandate to travel the world for the sake of the Gospel, the apostles didn’t waste their time. They immediately set their hand to the plow and began the difficult work of sowing seeds of faith everywhere they went.

So where did they end up? Did they “make disciples of all nations”?

Peter

It is traditionally believed that Peter first traveled to Antioch and established a community there. He did not stay very long, but he is often known as the first bishop of Antioch. After that he may have visited Corinth before heading to Rome. There he helped form the Christian community and was ultimately martyred in the Circus of Nero around 64 AD in Rome. Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican is built on top of St. Peter’s tomb.

Andrew

After Pentecost many ancient traditions point to Andrew, Peter’s brother, as the Apostle to the Greeks. It is believed that he preached to Greek communities and was martyred at Patras on a cross in the shape of an X. His relics were eventually transferred to the Duomo Cathedral in Amalfi, Italy.

James the Great

It is held that James was the first apostle to be martyred. In the Acts of the Apostles it reads, “Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2). He died in 44 AD in Jerusalem, but his tomb is nowhere near this location. After his death his body was transferred to Spain and is currently located in Santiago de Compostela. His tomb is the destination point of the centuries-old pilgrimage, El Camino, still popular today.

John

The author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation, John was the only apostle not to have a martyr’s death. In Revelation he writes from the island of Patmos, Greece, “I John, your brother, who share with you in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9). He died around 100 AD and is buried near Ephesus.

Philip

In the years following Pentecost, Philip ministered to Greek-speaking communities. Little is known about his adventures, except that he was martyred around 80 AD. His relics are located in the Basilica Santi Apostoli, in Rome.

Bartholomew

Little is known regarding the evangelization efforts of Bartholomew. Various traditions have him preaching in different areas. It is believed that he was martyred and his remains are currently located at the church of St. Bartholomew-in-the-Island, in Rome.

Thomas

The “doubting” apostle, Thomas is widely known for his missionary efforts in India. There is a popular story about one of his adventures that focuses on the conversion of a local “doubting” king. He died around 72 AD and his tomb is located in Mylapore, India.

Matthew

One of the four evangelists, Matthew is most well known for his Gospel. He preached to various communities in the Mediterranean before his martyrdom in Ethiopia. His tomb is located in the cathedral in Salerno, Italy.

James the Less

Scholars believe that Saint James the Less authored the “Epistle of St. James” found in the New Testament. After the apostles dispersed and left Jerusalem, James remained and became the first bishop in the holy city. He remained there for several decades until he was stoned to death by the Jewish authorities in the year 62. Some of his relics can be found in the Basilica Santi Apostoli, in Rome. It is also believed his tomb is located at the St. James Cathedral in Jerusalem.

See:

Disciple or apostle for my religious beliefs

on history of my Bible Reading