The 12 Disciples of Jesus

Here are the 12 disciples of Jesus:

1. Andrew - Originally a disciple of John the Baptist. He led his brother Simon to Christ)
   
2. Simon Peter (Andrew’s brother) - Rock of the church. A fisherman, Denied Jesus after the crucifixion.)
   
3. James (son of Zebedee) - Also a fisherman. A strong person who insisted that Christ’s followers “walk the talk.”
   
4. John (son of Zebedee) - Also a fisherman. A strong person who cared for Jesus’ mother and stressed grace.
   
5. Phillip - Andrew’s close friend, also a fisherman. He led Barttholomew to Christ.
   
6. Bartholomew (Nathanael) - Questioning at first, but accepted Jesus of Nazareth. Loyal.
   
7. Matthew (Levi)- Once a despised tax collector, he changed his profession and followed Jesus. Wrote the Gospel of Matthew.
   
8. Thomas - Doubted the resurrection. Was willing to risk his own life for Jesus.
   
9. James (Alpheus’ son) - Mentioned in Gospel accounts.
   
10. Thaddeus (James’ son) - A real follower and preacher of Christ.
    
11. Simon - Known as a zealot or patriot. He saw the vision.
    
12. Judas Iscariot - Ultimate betrayer of Jesus, who kept the money for the group.

Will God punish people?

Today's question: Will God punish people?

No, God will not punish people.

>>> But, how come the punishment is clearly written in the old testament?

Wow.... we first need to understand that Bible is a collection of books. The books are a record of progress of the people. A Progress of how people understand God. It is just like a Math textbook from Grade 1 to Grade 12. So the books don’t record what God said but what people said about him. In the old Testaments, God was more of a person, which included emotions like anger and wrath. Then he was presented as a King until the Christians believed that God is love. As St. John said, “God is love.” He was the last to die and for now, was the peak for our learning. So the Old Testament prepares for the New Testament while the New Testament completes the Old Testament.

Jesus said in John 12:47 - 48, "If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully, it is not I who shall judge such a person, since I have come not to judge the world, but to save the world: anyone who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already: the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day." He is not coming to judge us. If there is no judge yet, there will be no punishment happen yet!!!

Keep in mind that the judge day will be on the last day. Did you prepare for it? If there is an angel in front of you, show you a button and said "If you press this button, the last day will be now and everyone will get his judge day. Will you press it?" This basically means one can go to the heaven right away. Most of the people will go to do confession right away and then press it which is kind of funny. You never know if the end of the day will be the next second. By then, we will not have enough time for confession anymore. So, choose to not sin will be the best choice here.

Do you know who will press the button without even think about it? --- Kids.

-- Ah B

[Part of the answer above is from Fr. Thomas Dowd]

If Judas is a wrong choice for Jesus?

As some of you may know, I am a Sunday school teacher. I always received questions about Catholic faith. I would like to answer all of them by using the blog. I hope this can help other to understand God more.

Today's question: If Judas is a wrong choice for Jesus?

My answer is "I don't think so".

People think that it is a wrong choice because they think that Jesus chose somebody to betray him which is not a good thing. I believe that all this is under God's plan. In John 6:64 [But there are some of you who do not believe...], Jesus knew that among his disciples, not everyone has strong faith and some of them even "do not believe" and would "betray" him. After that, In John 6:66 [And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father."] And if you keep reading the passage, people left because of Jesus told them the path to go to heaven, the best path of our life...

In John chapter 6, it actually stated that Jesus chose Judas in verse 70 [Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?"]. It is clear that Jesus said there is an evil among one of the deciple. What?? Jesus chose a devil?

To answer this, we need to understand that "Freedom" is one of the most important gifts that God gave us. We have freedom to do anything, including to sin. Judas has the choice to not sin, however he chose to do that. Devil thinks that by killing Jesus is the only way to mess up God's plan. Devil thinks that he is almighty too... haha. God knows it clearly since God is the real almighty. God knows Devil's plan well. Devil does not know that God can tranform the plan into this huge salvation plan. Devil does not know that by killing Jesus, will turn lots of people into believers. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, Christian faith become well known and changed lots of people's heart. God used Devil's plan to fulfil his own plan. Isn't it powerful? Yes, because God is almighty.

-- Ah B