Gospel

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.

Reflection

It's clear that Jesus wanted his message to continue and he needed teachers. And the best way to describe the word apostle is that they are the ones who do the teaching. But before they can become apostles, they have to be disciples. Disciples are learners. And when you think about these 12, they had the experience on a daily basis for a very long time to be around Jesus.

I think it's interesting that they learned more by watching him wondering about him than they did about his telling them what to say. It's the same with us. We have to first listen and learn, and that experience.

Closing Prayer

Father, you give us two roles that we never, never lose. We're always learning and we're always proclaiming what we learn, what we believe in, what we trust in. Help us to sense the gifts that you have given us. We are always working with you for the world. That is the thing that gives us purpose. That is the thing that gives us value. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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