ACC ~ Luke 9 v1 - 2

TWELVE AND SEVENTY GIVEN SPECIAL HONOR

EUSEBIUS: The Lord and Savior, not very long after the beginning of his preaching, called the twelve apostles. He gave the name of apostles to them alone of all his disciples as a special honor. [1] Later he proclaimed seventy others and sent them also 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] Cf. Mt 10:1-4.

[2] FC 19:72*.

JESUS GIVING THEM POWER TO HEAL AND EXORCISE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The grace bestowed upon the holy apostles is worthy of all admiration. But the bountifulness of the Giver surpasses all praise and admiration. He gives them, as I said, his own glory. They receive authority over the evil spirits. They reduce to nothing the pride of the devil that was so highly exalted and arrogant. They render ineffectual the demon’s wickedness. By the might and efficacy of the Holy Spirit, burning them as if they were on fire, they make the devil come forth with groans and weeping from those whom he had possessed. …

He glorified his disciples, therefore, by giving them authority and power over the evil spirits and over sicknesses. Did he honor them without reason and make them famous without any logical cause? How can this be true? It was necessary, most necessary, that they should be able to work miracles, having been publicly appointed ministers of sacred proclamations. By means of their works, they then could convince men that they were the ministers of God and mediators of all beneath the heaven. The apostles then could invite them all to reconciliation and justification by faith and point out the way of salvation and of life that is this justification. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 47. [1]

[1] CGSL 207-9**.