The Word of God
Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home.
Mark 3:13-19
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Sometimes named, at other times not named, “the mountain” is the location for events of great significance in salvation history, for example, the giving of the Law to Moses on Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Transfiguration on Tabor. Jesus’ choice of twelve apostles places them in continuity with the twelve tribes of Israel. The apostles are to be the foundation stones of the Church, the New Israel.
- Note that the initiative is wholly that of Jesus. He summoned “those whom he wanted”. They were “to be with him” – as disciples and friends “to be sent out to proclaim the message” – preaching as Jesus himself is doing “with authority to cast out demons” – sharing in Jesus’ own authority over evil of all sorts, personal or impersonal.
- There is no call without a corresponding mission. Are you aware of this pattern in your life?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Like the apostles each of us is called by name or called into a profoundly personal and intimate relationship with Jesus. It is when we allow him to look on us in this way that we get a sense of our deepest significance and personal worth.
- Spend some moments in prayer or in conversation with Jesus about the profoundly personal relationship he wants with you, dwell with his preference for relating with people one to one in the Gospel stories.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- If being a preacher of the kingdom also included the power to cast out devils, then this was a role which people could not just take upon themselves. It involved a direct sharing in Jesus’ own power – they had to be hand picked and invited to it.
- Whenever Jesus wished to converse with his Father in prayer, as in this case, he went up into the hills. This shows how important the choosing of his twelve co-workers was to him.
- Each one of us in our own way is picked out by Jesus for some task in life which is very special to him.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- I may think I have chosen Jesus, but in fact he has chosen me. Like the apostles, I am chosen to be part of his mission. Imagine the apostles, having been chosen, looking at each other, and James and John turning to Andrew and asking, "Who's this Thaddeus guy?" They could well have been uneasy at rubbing shoulders with a reformed tax collector like Matthew, and a fanatical nationalist like Simon.
- The Lord's choice of followers may surprise me, and at times I may have difficulties with them, but they are chosen, with their faults, just as I am.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- As I read this list of names I consider how my name, too, is called by Jesus. He knows who I am, loves me and believes that I am ready to work by his side.
- I pray for my friends and acquaintances. We are, each of us, called by God. I pray that I may cherish each of them as God does.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Discipleship is an important theme in Mark’s Gospel. The first disciples were non-entities, yet are called by Jesus to form his first community. Resolute commitment in following of him is the necessary quality. They are to identify their entire lives with him. Empowered with his message, they would be heralds of the Good News.
- Jesus did not choose people because of what they were. He chose them for what they could become under his direction and power. Lord, I am nothing remarkable, yet you call me to be with you. Give me courage to serve you with generous commitment.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- As I prayerfully read the names of the apostles, I realise that I know something about some of them, and little about others. Similarly, my life of faith is known to some yet hidden from many. I offer it all to God.
- ‘Then he went home.’ It seems that Jesus was able to trust the apostles to act in his name to do what he did. In the same way he trusts me confident that his spirit is alive in me as I speak and act in his name.