The Apostles is a collection of the catecheses Pope Benedict XVI gave during his weekly General Audiences in 2006 and 2007. The talks were given in either St. Peter’s Square or, in less favorable weather, the Paul VI Hall next to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Below are excerpts from a study guide written by Amy Welborn and available for free download here.
Below are some of questions for the session on the apostles Matthew, Philip, Thomas,
and Bartholomew
Questions for Study
1. What was Matthew’s background? What can we deduce about his life from the Gospels?
2. Why were tax collectors seen as “public sinners” during the time of Jesus?
3. What “paradox” does Matthew’s call reveal?
4. What was it that Matthew left behind?
5. What did ancient writers suggest about Matthew and the Gospel that bears his name?
6. Who was Philip? What was his relationship to other Apostles?
7. What does Philip’s invitation to “come and see” reveal to us about discipleship and evangelization? What is it we are doing when we evangelize?
