Lk 6:12-19
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. And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.
Grace Prayed For
The grace of surrender: To surrender your will to God’s will, trusting in His guidance and wisdom as you navigate your journey.
Chosen and Called
In this passage, we witness a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry as He retreats to the mountain to commune with His Father in prayer. Throughout the night, He seeks guidance and strength for the significant task ahead. As dawn breaks, Jesus gathers His disciples and selects twelve men, whom He names Apostles.
These twelve, carefully chosen from among His followers, would become the foundation of His Church, entrusted with carrying His message of salvation to the world.
This selection highlights the divine intentionality behind Jesus’ ministry. He doesn’t simply gather a random group of followers; He prayerfully selects those He will equip and empower to carry out His mission. This reminds us that each of us is also chosen and called by God for a specific purpose. We are not merely wandering through life aimlessly; we have a unique role to play in His grand design.
The list of Apostles includes individuals from diverse backgrounds and personalities. We see Simon, the impulsive and passionate fisherman, who would become Peter, the rock upon which the Church would be built. There’s also Matthew, the tax collector, a profession often associated with dishonesty, demonstrating that God’s grace extends to all, regardless of past mistakes. And then there’s Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray Jesus, reminding us that even within the chosen few, there is the potential for darkness and free will to turn away from God’s plan.
This passage encourages us to reflect on our own calling. Just as Jesus chose and named His Apostles, He also calls each of us by name. We may not all be called to be apostles in the traditional sense, but we are all called to be disciples, to follow Jesus and share His love with the world.
Let us embrace our calling with courage and commitment, trusting in God’s guidance and strength. Just as Jesus spent the night in prayer before choosing His Apostles, let us also seek His wisdom and direction in fulfilling our unique purpose in His Kingdom.
May this passage inspire us to live lives of intentionality and purpose, knowing that we are chosen and loved by God. May we respond to His call with open hearts and willing spirits, ready to serve Him and share His message of hope with the world.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Embracing Our Calling: Just as Jesus called His Apostles to a specific mission, He also calls each of us to fulfill a unique purpose in His Kingdom. Reflecting on this passage can inspire us to seek and embrace our calling, fostering a deeper connection with Jesus as we participate in His work.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post