Disciples and Apostles

As we continue to read from the Gospel of Mark, today’s reading offers an opportunity to talk about the development of his followers from disciples to apostles. The word, “disciple,” means one who learns, and we have seen many instances of followers learning from Jesus. In this passage Jesus is sending out the twelve apostles, two by two, and “apostle” means one who is sent. We are ourselves, of course, disciples and apostles, called continually to be in a posture of learning and then to be sent out as equipped by Jesus to do ministry. Today in the service of communion, we experience the discipleship, and then, as the service ends, we, as apostles, are sent out to share the good news and to minister to others. Then next week we will come together again to sit with Jesus as disciples and then, again, to be sent out as apostles.