Casting Lots, Naming Apostles and Lay Dominicans

Many years ago when we established our Lay Dominican group, we had to decide on a name.  We decided to pray about it and then put everyone’s suggestion in a bowl and whatever name we drew out was the name we agreed to use.

Was this divinely inspired or a random selection?

I was thinking about this today in light of the first reading from Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 1) where lots are drawn to replace Judas (who had betrayed Jesus).

It does seem that we used a modern-day lots-casting to choose the name of our group.   

Anyway, I started researching the practice of lots, which, as usual, led to more questions.  It was a practice used in the Old Testament for selecting leaders, but as I mentioned, was also used in today’s New Testament reading.

I highly recommend this short video by Catholic Apologist Jeff Cavins on this subject and its practice.

Is it something we should do today?

Like our Lay Dominican group, prayer to the Holy Spirit should be our practice and primary way to God’s plan; in the Holy Spirit we place our confidence.  This is what the New Testament and Pentecost leads us to.

As if the conversation about casting lots wasn’t enough, Aiken caught my attention with his comment that there were more than 12 apostles.

Huh?

I checked out his reference to Acts Chapter 14, and sure enough Barnabas and Paul are referred to as apostles. He says that Peter laid out the requirement to be one of the 12 in Acts, Chapter 1:21-22 (check it out!), and that,

“the Twelve were a distinct group that accompanied Jesus during his earthly ministry and who served as witnesses of this and his resurrection. Paul did not become a follower of Jesus until after the Ascension, so he could not belong to the Twelve.”

To be one of the twelve, you would have had to accompany Jesus and witness the resurrection. Notice he makes a distinction between “the twelve” and other apostles.

Isn’t that interesting?

Be sure to check out Cavin’s short article, How Many Apostles Were There? 

Oh, and as a side note, we named our Lay Dominican group after Catherine of Siena, and if you have any interest in the Lay Dominicans, be sure to contact me!

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com
janetcassidy.blubrry.net