Daily Reflection – 1/19/2024
Sacred Scripture
He 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. (Mark 3:13-19)
Reflection
Today’s Gospel marks a historic day in the life of the Christian Church. Jesus takes twelve of those who had been with him, walking with him, listening to Him, and He calls them to be His apostles . . . anointing them to preach, to heal, to drive out our demons.
Each of the twelve was an ordinary person engaged in ordinary tasks in their lives. In the choice of the twelve, we see a characteristic feature of God’s work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages.
Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power.
And the parallel for us? It’s both simple and profound. You and I are called to the same apostolate. You and I have been called to proclaim the Good News of His birth, to witness to the meaning of His life on earth and to attest to the meaning of His human death so that we could live eternally.
The fact is that too many move away from the significance of His call. Too many leave that to the ordained. Too many consider the message to be best discussed in a Church.
But it’s our humanity that He wants to use. It’s to our humanity that He issues the call not just to follow Him but to LIVE Him in the conduct of our lives, He wants our humanity to speak to those around us. The words from our mouths and the actions from our hands.
That is THE gift from God. No matter who we are, no matter how young or old, no matter where we are in the world’s society, we are asked to let our lives be a prayer. Its as simple as allowing Hos word to become alive in our lives.
Our lives can be a prayer. A prayer that resonates deeply with others because we are like them. Created by God in love and to share His love with those around us. Some have asked me “But how do I do that? How can I make my faith so strong that I am willing to step out in faith?
My answer has always been: “ It’s simple.”
Begin each day by looking at the eyes of Jesus Christ. In those moments, let yourself be loved by God. Understand that prayer is allowing God to love you.
Then take one more step. Remember that He said:” Seek me with all your heart and I will let you find me.” Now come to Him in silent and loving prayer. You will be blessed, strengthened, and your faith will be deeper.
God loves us, shaping us in Christ, encouraging us to develop the characteristics necessary for us to become his children. Only by discovering our God-given vocation —the true reasons for our life— and by fulfilling it on his terms, will we come to know ourselves as God knows us.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord, fill me with gratitude and generosity for all you have done for me. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my all.”
Daily Note
And what does God require of those He calls? He asks us to live close to him as we serve him, and in return, He promises to stay close to us. Yet, God speaks to each one of us individually and specifically. Today, and every day, we must meditate upon the true nature of our call to vocation, answering his call with an increased love, born of our increased understanding of what He calls us to do and to be.
