--- title: Daily Readings Reflection for 7/08/09 description: Daily Readings Reflection for 7/08/09 --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2009/07/08/daily-readings-reflection-for-70809#) # Daily Readings Reflection for 7/08/09 Jul 8, 2009 4:00:09 AM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) Reflection on the Daily Readings for 7/08/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM [Today’s Readings](http://www.usccb.org/nab/) Scripture: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24. Psalm 33:2-3;10-11;18-19. Matthew 10:1-7. Lectionary # 385: Do you ever wonder or ask yourself what is the difference between and apostle of Jesus and a disciple of Jesus?  Matthew is using both of these titles in today's Gospel reading and in both cases it applies to the same dozen men who followed him during his active ministry.  But what exactly is the meaning of disciple and apostle as we have it in the Gospels?   The words are different in the original language used in Matthew, namely, Koine or Common Greek.  Disciple in Greek is "mathetes" which comes from a verb which means to "learn, to accustom oneself to something or someone, to become familiar with." The word is not used in the Old Testament except for one time, therefore, it is more a New Testament word.  Jesus initiates the call or summons to those who are to be his disciples; he also sends some well meaning people away for they are not called to be disciples but are to be people within their own home and town.  A disciple is thus a follower, a learner of what Jesus is calling them to be.  It demands a commitment to the call and a learning process by listening to him and following him wherever he goes and takes them. Some like Peter, James, and John will go and experience things that other disciples do not. The relationship thus is up close and personal.  It involves doing the will of God as Jesus instructs them to do and witnesses to by his own life.  As this following of Jesus moves on the disciple is to be ready to give his life to the Lord who will give his to them through his Passion, Death, and then Resurrection.  It is true that Luke the universalist among the Gospel writers will call every believer a disciple. But he means that they have to follow Jesus all the way not just for a day or year or a few experiences with Jesus. We could learn much by making the Beloved Disciple of John a symbol of our own calling by Jesus.  He is the one who is so close to Jesus that he perceives, understands, and speaks in a way that shows he is loved by Jesus. A writer of the third century named Origen says of this form of discipleship, "No one may understand the meaning of John's Gospel if he or she has not rested on the breast of Jesus and received Mary from Jesus to be his mother also."  (Origen commenting in John 1, 6). An apostle is one who is sent as an emissary or ambassador in the name of a leader or ruler.  It comes from the Greek verb "apostello" which basically means to "be sent" as a delegated official entrusted with a mission. The twelve disciples become apostles when they are sent on the mission that Jesus has entrusted to them.  They have witnessed his death and resurrection and now have authority not superiority over the churches they have founded or worked with in a pastoral way.  All of us are dependent on these churches and communities the apostles have left behind.  The original Twelve disciples are listed for mission today in the Gospel and all twelve are named including Judas Iscariot who betrayed and fell away from the original group of twelve. Matthew has given us the instruction they received as disciples in the nine chapters before the one where they are named apostles.  Now they are commissioned to go out as apostles to bring the realm, the kingdom, and the rule of God to all peoples.  We know that most of them died as martyrs and they did leave churches and communities of faith behind them.  We now rest on their shoulders and are today's apostles as we continue our communitis of faith and love for Jesus and for all peoples.  Recently, all of the Popes since Vatican II have been calling us to become apostles of evangelization.  We have heard this from Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and now from Benedict XVI.  We are to ponder over the Good News of Jesus, bring it to others and continue doing so till we are called by the Lord into the realm of God.  John Paul II reminded us that the Mother of Jesus is the star of the evangelization. Thus she is the Queen of the Apostles.  Amen. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F07%2F08%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-70809%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F07%2F08%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-70809%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F07%2F08%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-70809%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Daily%20Readings%20Reflection%20for%207%2F08%2F09) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F07%2F08%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-70809%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F07%2F08%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-70809%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Profile%203.jpg) ### [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) We welcome guest contributors who graciously volunteer their writing for our readers. Please support our guest writers by visiting their sites, purchasing their work, and leaving comments to thank them for sharing their gifts here on CatholicMom.com. To inquire about serving as a guest contributor, contact editor@CatholicMom.com. ## Related Blog Articles [ Daily Readings Reflection 2/09/09 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2009/02/09/daily-readings-reflection-20909) [ Daily Readings Reflection 2/08/09 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2009/02/08/daily-readings-reflection-20809) [ Daily Readings Reflection for 11/04/09 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2009/11/04/daily-readings-reflection-for-110409) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive our free daily digest email. Copyright © 2026 CatholicMom.com. All Rights Reserved.