January 23, 2015 Mk 3: 13-19 He went up the mountain and called - TopicsExpress

January 23, 2015 Mk 3: 13-19 He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home. New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. Answering the Call One of the most inspiring meditations in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius is the Two Standards. [cf. Spiritual Exercises ##136-147]. I love considering how the Lord of all the world chooses so many persons—apostles, disciples, etc.—and sends them forth throughout all the world. What I imagine is that God not only wants to spread good news through all states and conditions of persons, but also that he engages different people from all states and conditions for this mission. In the gospel of Mark, we read today that Jesus appointed twelve whom he named “apostles.” We are also called to follow Jesus and to be apostles to fulfill three specific functions: walking with Jesus, announcing his word, and acting with the authority given to us. It does not matter how sinful we are since we are called to be with Jesus. He transforms our hearts, making us able to spread good news across the world. And so our actions inspired by Jesus will transform our surroundings to become better communities and thereby to heal our suffering world. —Fr. Hugo Nelson Gomez-Sevilla is a Jesuit from Colombia, currently pursuing graduate studies in educational leadership at Loyola University Chicago. Prayer May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all …so that he may strengthen your hearts. May you be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.. —1 Thessalonians 3: 12-13