He appointed twelve
Published Jan 20, 2023 12:05 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
We know that, as God, Jesus could have carried out his ministry single-handedly. Yet, because he chose to fully immerse himself in the human condition, it means that he could not do everything by himself all at once. He thus needed companions, co-workers, and partners in mission. In the Gospel, he calls the Twelve to be with him. We shall never know what criteria Jesus had in mind when he chose them because there seems to be no “pattern” or common qualities among those called. In fact, they are a variety of personalities. Perhaps Jesus thought that anyone could be his follower or collaborator as long as the person opens himself up and follows him on the way. As a matter of fact, as his followers, we should imagine that all of us are valued by the Lord in whatever way we collaborate with him based on our talents and skills. We are all, as St. Paul puts it, like members of the body that are essential in the proper functioning of that body. Being community, being Church, is the ideal mode of following Jesus. One cannot purposely detach himself from the community for the purpose of mission. While there may be occasions when we find ourselves without fellow workers, we should always aim to work with one another.
Gospel • Mark 3:13-19
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
We know that, as God, Jesus could have carried out his ministry single-handedly. Yet, because he chose to fully immerse himself in the human condition, it means that he could not do everything by himself all at once. He thus needed companions, co-workers, and partners in mission. In the Gospel, he calls the Twelve to be with him. We shall never know what criteria Jesus had in mind when he chose them because there seems to be no “pattern” or common qualities among those called. In fact, they are a variety of personalities. Perhaps Jesus thought that anyone could be his follower or collaborator as long as the person opens himself up and follows him on the way. As a matter of fact, as his followers, we should imagine that all of us are valued by the Lord in whatever way we collaborate with him based on our talents and skills. We are all, as St. Paul puts it, like members of the body that are essential in the proper functioning of that body. Being community, being Church, is the ideal mode of following Jesus. One cannot purposely detach himself from the community for the purpose of mission. While there may be occasions when we find ourselves without fellow workers, we should always aim to work with one another.
Gospel • Mark 3:13-19
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.