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.
Jesus summoned those He wanted
1. He went up the mountain. Choosing the people who would journey with Him was a significant decision—an important turning point. Before making an important decision in your life, spend time with God—go up the mountain, as Jesus did. The mountain is where Jesus met His Father, reflected on the decisions ahead, and, in communion with His Father, found the strength to embrace His mission. Avoid making decisions in haste or amidst distractions; rather, pause to reflect and pray. Take the time to speak with the Lord and share your concerns. Make your decisions together with God.
2. They came to Him. To be a disciple of Jesus means, first and foremost, to be with Him. In recent years, discipleship has sometimes been mistaken for merely helping others or supporting social causes. However, true discipleship is about being chosen by God to spend time with Him and then, in turn, sharing Him with others. I recall a priest in seminary who would always remind me, “Now is the time to be with Jesus; later will come the time to preach about Him.” I am grateful for his advice, as enthusiasm can sometimes lead us astray. During my seminary days, I was eager to go on mission to Africa, but the priest reminded me, “First, be with Jesus, and then you will bring others to Him.”
3. Called by name. God’s call is personal and unique to each individual, not to a group as a whole. Each person chosen is different, showing that being chosen is not about fitting a certain mould, but about God’s will. God calls you by name and knows your weaknesses, but this is where you learn to trust His greatness.
Don’t forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
