Mark 3, 13-19

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.

God chooses whom he wants

1. Decision. In the Gospel we see the key to God’s calling is reflection, then prayer, and finally the calling. Something that you and I must learn in this life is that before making a decision we must reflect and pray. Jesus’s decision is not the product of a whim but rather the result of something that matures within, with reflection and prayer.
2. The calling. When Jesus summons the apostles, He gives them a name, and thus gives them identity. The mission is deeply integrated with the person. What you are and what you are called upon to do results in your identity. In other words, who I am plus where God wants me to go is equal to my identity.
3. Following. Following Jesus implies having been called upon and being chosen by God, and this is what makes you free. It is the conviction that you know what you have come into this world to do. When you know, you must fight for it every step of the way. And thus, you will find peace and you will spread this peace onto others. This is what God wants for all of us, He has thought each one of us as unique persons with a unique mission, and this is really beautiful.

God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Always remember, Heaven is our goal.