As we come closer to the end of these 12 days, we are asked to consider the Eleven Pipers Piping, meaning the eleven faithful apostles [Simon Peter, James (the Great), John, Simon (the Zealot), Jude (Thaddeus), Andrew, James (the Less), Matthew, Phillip, Bartholomew, and Thomas].
I am reminded of bagpipers who led Scottish troops to battle for generations and even now accompany Scottish regiments. It was the pipers who inspired the clans to victory. Somehow it is fitting that the 11 faithful apostles are linked to pipers who are leaders, not just of military endeavors, but of dances and other events as well.
Each of the disciples were called by the Lord to leave the lives they knew to become His followers. At the Last Supper they were commissioned to “love one another as I have loved you.” After His Resurrection, Jesus sent the 11 disciples into the world to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always to the close of the age.” (Mt. 28:19-20)
We are heirs of that commission and the Great Commandment. Yesterday we looked at the 10 Commandments, summed up by Christ into just one “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength—and Love your neighbor as yourself.”
How better can we be Pipers and lead the world to Christ than by loving God and loving our neighbor?
