Carriers of the Fire: The Apostles and the Life We Must Live

Occasion: Tsome Hawariat (Fast of the Apostles)

Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:1–20

Liturgical Season: After Pentecost, leading to the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

✝️ In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

We gather today in the light of Pentecost, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the footsteps of the Apostles. As the Church begins Tsome Hawariat, the Fast of the Apostles, we do not fast in sorrow—but in thanksgiving. We fast in remembrance of the mission, the courage, and the sacrifice of those first chosen men through whom the Gospel reached us.

Today’s Gospel reading, from Matthew 10:1–20, opens with Christ calling His twelve disciples and sending them out with authority. Authority to heal, to cast out demons, and to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

🧱 I. The Call to Apostolic Life

“And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power...” (v.1)

The Apostles were not scholars. They were not noble. They were fishermen, a tax collector, zealots—ordinary men. But they were called. And in their obedience, they became extraordinary.

St. John Chrysostom writes:

“He chose the unlearned and made them wise; He sent the weak, and made them powerful.”

This teaches us: God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

And beloved, we too have been called.

Through baptism, you became part of the Body of Christ. Through chrismation, you received the Holy Spirit. Through the Eucharist, you are fed by the same Christ the Apostles preached.

So the question is not “Are you called?” but “Are you available?”

🐑 II. Sheep Among Wolves: Faith in a Hostile World

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves...” (v.16)

The Gospel is not neutral. It convicts. It challenges. And because of this, it faces opposition.

Jesus didn’t send the Apostles with swords. He sent them as sheep, not as predators. He sent them with a commission—and a cross.

He said, “Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

This is spiritual discernment with spiritual gentleness.

St. Cyril of Alexandria says:

“The Apostles became fire-bearers, igniting the world with divine knowledge.”

That fire is love, truth, and holiness. But it will be resisted by the world.

You too, when you live your faith in truth—at work, in school, in your family—you will feel it. The coldness. The mockery. The rejection. But remember: they rejected Christ first.

🔥 III. It is Not You Who Speak

“For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” (v.20)

You are not alone.

The same Holy Spirit that descended at Pentecost, the same Spirit that gave Peter boldness, that sent Paul to the Gentiles, that turned Thomas into a martyr in India—that Spirit is in you.

St. Athanasius said:

“The Word of God became man so that we might become god.”

We are not divine by nature, but we are filled with Divine Grace, and in the hour of trial, the Lord will give you words, strength, and endurance.

We do not witness alone. Christ speaks through the Church, through the sacraments, through the sufferings of the saints, and through you, when you live the truth.

🎚️ IV. Fasting with the Apostles

Tsome Hawariat is not merely symbolic. It is a spiritual participation in the labor of the Apostles. They fasted. They journeyed. They endured hunger, rejection, and persecution.

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,

and their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:4)

As we fast, we unite ourselves to their life.
As we pray, we speak with their tongues.
As we sacrifice, we imitate their path.
This fast is not just about food. It’s about returning to our purpose.

To preach with our lives.

To heal with our prayers.

To live with courage.

To speak with the Spirit.

💬 V. Pastoral Challenge

Let me ask you:

• Are you living an apostolic life?
• Are you willing to speak the truth even when it's unpopular?
• Are you fasting in body but feasting on pride, anger, or despair?

Let this fast be a return to fire.

🔥 Read the Acts of the Apostles during the fast.
🔥 Confess and cleanse your conscience.
🔥 Speak the Gospel through mercy, love, and truth.

🙏 Closing Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, who sent out Your holy Apostles with power and grace,

grant that we may walk in their path.

Fill us with the Holy Spirit.

Make us carriers of the fire.

And help us to endure, rejoice, and serve

until we are counted worthy to sit with them in Your Kingdom.

Through the prayers of St. Peter, St. Paul, and all Your holy Apostles,

now and forevermore—Amen.