The Mission of the Twelve
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Mk 3:13-19
13[Jesus] went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. 14He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach 15and to have authority to drive out demons: 16[he appointed the twelve:] Simon, whom he named Peter; 17James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; 18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, 19and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
WHOM HE ALSO NAMED APOSTLES.
From among his disciples Jesus appoints the Twelve, whom he also names
apostles, to accompany him to preach. He gives them the authority to
drive out demons, to make Israel feel God’s presence. The Twelve are to
be the leaders of the new Israel, coming from diverse backgrounds:
fisherfolk, impetuous persons, a pacifist, an extremist, and a tax
collector. One of them will even turn out to be a traitor. Their
portraits will be deepened as the story of the gospel unfolds. What is
sure is that, at this time, these disciples live together with Jesus who
has called them, spontaneously and freely, as persons “whom he wanted”
(v 13).
“May
the Lord reward you generously.” Saul, hunting down David, enters a
cave to relieve himself. Unknown to him, David and his men are occupying
the inmost recesses of the cave. Though his men see in this the Lord
delivering an enemy to him, David believes only the Lord has the
authority to judge Saul. He refuses to lay a hand on the king whom he
regards as the Lord’s anointed. He stealthily cuts off the end of Saul’s
mantle to show that he has no intention of killing him. Saul feels
David’s compassion and weeps in gratitude as he declares with certainty
that David will be king of Israel.
Let us respond generously to Jesus’ call.
Let our lives speak to others
of God’s goodness and love.
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