"He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles"

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Gospel Reading: 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.

In today’s Gospel, we hear the calling of the twelve Apostles. It says that Jesus summoned the Apostles so that “they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and have authority to drive out demons.” Jesus called each of them by name and they obeyed his calling. They obeyed the calling to come forth to be ridiculed and most them eventually martyred. Some of them even had a special calling above the others; for example Simon whom he named Peter. Peter was given the assignment to be the rock from which our faith was built. He called Peter to be strong and steadfast in his convictions. James and John were named the sons of thunder because of their strength and commitment to Jesus. But who were the twelve? Were they rulers, rich people, people of society, or the magistrate? No, they were twelve common ordinary men who were not rich and had no significant position in society. They were ordinary people with no special traits or gifts that would set them over everyone else. We too are called by Jesus. He calls us by name not because we have extraordinary gifts, but because we are ordinary people who can do extraordinary things with God’s help. He calls us to come forth to preach and to drive out demons. He calls us to spread the light of God within the darkness of the world. He calls us to leave our ordinary lives and to become fishers of men. He calls us to be shepherds so that we might lead others to God. He calls us to be doctors so that we might heal the souls of the fallen. When Jesus calls, we must listen. We must be willing to abandon our worldly treasures for the treasures which await us in the Kingdom of God. We must ask the simple question, “Who does God want me to be?” The answer is in your prayers and your reflections on the Gospel messages. God will take your ordinary gifts and talents and transform them into his greatness for the Kingdom of God.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, open my ears so I can hear your calling.

Give me the strength and the courage to come when you call for I am your servant.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon