ACC ~ Luke 6 v12 - 16

OVERVIEW:

To prepare for the selection and naming of the Twelve, who will form the apostolic foundation of the church, Jesus withdraws alone to uninhabited places to pray, not for himself but for us, since he is our advocate on account of our sins (AMBROSE). The twelve apostles are named so that none may add themselves to this select group (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). The name apostle bestows on them a special honor (EUSEBIUS). Jesus appointed simple people like fishermen and tax collectors to proclaim the good news of salvation to the world in order that triumph of his truth over human wisdom may be revealed (AMBROSE). Jesus chose the Twelve so that through them we who are earthly may share in the heavenly gifts (JOHN OF DAMASCUS). Luke honors Matthew by placing him before Thomas, something Matthew does not do in his list of the Twelve (EUSEBIUS). Only Luke concludes the list of the Twelve with the word betrayer, for even Judas is called by Jesus (AMBROSE).

6:12 | Jesus Prays Alone on the Mountain

JESUS INTERCEDES AND PRAYS FOR US

AMBROSE: So the Lord prays, not to entreat for himself but to intercede for me. Although the Father placed all things in the power of his Son, [1] yet the Son, in order to fulfill the form of a man, thinks that the Father must be entreated for us, because he is our Advocate. … If he is an Advocate, he must intercede on account of my sins. …

It says, “He passed the whole night in prayer.” A model is given to you. A form is prescribed which you must imitate. … Unless I am mistaken, it is nowhere found that he prayed with the apostles. Everywhere he entreats alone, for human prayers do not grasp the counsels of God, [2] nor can anyone share with Christ in the inward mysteries. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.42-43. [3]

[1] Jn 17:2.

[2] See Wis 9:13; Is 40:13.

[3] EHG 162-63**.

6:13-16 | Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

THE APOSTLES ARE ONLY THESE TWELVE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Note the extreme moderation of the Evangelist. He does not simply say that the holy apostles were appointed, but rather, by introducing the record of these chief ones each by name, takes care that no other one should venture to enroll himself in the company of those that were chosen. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 23. [1]

[1] CGSL 125*.

THE NAME APOSTLE BESTOWS A SPECIAL HONOR

EUSEBIUS: But our Lord and Savior, not very long after the beginning of his preaching, called the twelve apostles and to them alone of all his disciples he gave the name of apostles as a special honor. [1] Later he proclaimed seventy others, and them also he sent out two by two in advance of himself into every place and city where he himself was to come. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 1.10. [2]

[1] Mt 10:1-4; Mk 3:14-19.

[2] FC 19:72.

JESUS CHOOSES FISHERMEN AND TAX COLLECTORS

AMBROSE: It says, “He called unto him his disciples, and he chose twelve of them,” whom he appointed sowers of the faith, to spread the help of human salvation throughout the world. At the same time, observe the heavenly counsel. He chose not wise men, nor rich men, nor nobles, but fishermen [1] and tax collectors, [2] whom he would direct, lest they seem to have seduced some by wisdom, or bought them with riches, or attracted them to their own grace with the authority of power and nobility. He did this so that the reasoning of truth, not the grace of disputation, should prevail. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.44. [3]

[1] Mt 4:18.

[2] Mt 10:3.

[3] EHG 163*.

JESUS CALLED THE TWELVE TO MAKE US HEAVENLY

JOHN OF DAMASCUS: He also chose twelve disciples, whom he called apostles, and commanded them to preach the kingdom of heaven which he came upon earth to declare, and to make heavenly us who are low and earthly, by virtue of his incarnation. BARLAAM AND JOSEPH 7.52. [1]

[1] LCL 34:93*.

LUKE HONORS MATTHEW BY PLACING HIM BEFORE THOMAS

EUSEBIUS: If you listen to Luke, you will not hear him calling Matthew a publican nor subordinating him to Thomas, for he knows him to be the greater, and puts him first and Thomas second. Mark has done the same. … So Luke honored Matthew, according to what they delivered, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word. PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 3.5.120. [1]

[1] POG 1:138.

JESUS EVEN CHOSE JUDAS

AMBROSE: Judas too is chosen, not through inadvertence but through Providence. How great is the truth that not even a hostile minister weakens! How great is the integrity of the Lord, who preferred to endanger his judgment among us, rather than his compassion! For he had assumed the frailty of man, and therefore [he did not] refuse those aspects of human weakness. He was willing to be forsaken, he was willing to be betrayed, he was willing to be surrendered by his own apostles, so that you, when abandoned by an ally, betrayed by an ally, may bear it in good order. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.45. [1]

[1] EHG 163-64.