Mark 3:13–19
Jesus 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.
Reflection
The Lord’s choice of followers may surprise me, and
at times I may have difficulties with them, but do I realize that they are
chosen, with their faults, just as I am?
I may think I have chosen Jesus, but in fact he has
chosen me. Today I pause in gratitude for this in my prayer.