"The Apostle is a messenger, but, more than that, he is an expert of Jesus". This was said this morning by Benedict XVI who centred his catechesis on the figure of the first Apostles, "witnesses and messengers of Christ". The Pope described to the pilgrims who were in Saint Peter’s Square today the scene of the call of the first Apostles on the Lake of Galilee. "Jesus had just begun preaching the Kingdom of God he said when his eyes rested on two couples of brothers: Simon and Andrew, James and John". "Jesus called them firmly and they readily followed Him". "This is how the Apostles’ adventure began said the Pope like people meeting and opening up to each other. The disciples began making the personal acquaintance of the Master. They would not have to be the announcers of an idea, but the witnesses of a person. Before being sent to evangelise, they had to stay with Jesus and establish a personal relationship with Him. On these grounds, the evangelisation would be but the announcement of what has been experienced and an invitation to enter into the mystery of communion with Christ". ” “
