Luke 6:12-16

In those days [Jesus] departed to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, He called His disciples to Himself, and from them He chose Twelve, whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He named Peter, and His brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Reflection:

He prayed… He chose… He named. This is a simple process we can follow before sulking on any problem or embarking on an important task. The three steps can be used to pinpoint a problem, process an issue, or settle a controversy.

I once came to my rector with a list of complaints about seminary life. His first and only question was: “Did you pray over this?” We cannot avoid making choices in life. Every moment is determined by the choices and chances we take. Once we have named a thing, it becomes ours, and we can hold it and handle it from there.

Are you beset by fear? Pray over it, choose your fight, and name it.

Ask your parents the origin, history, background, and circumstances of your name.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2011,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.,); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.