In today's Gospel, Mark 3: 13-19, Jesus goes up to a mountain to pray and, while there, summons those he wanted to join him as His first apostles. He appoints twelve men to this position, affectionately nicknaming some of them. Among the twelve is impetuous Peter and the doubting Thomas as well as a traitor, a tax collector who cheated people of their money and, each of them, men thinking that Jesus will become an earthly king saving them from the ruling Romans. They are also men who clamour for position, arguing, at one point, who among them is the greatest and who will sit at Jesus' right or left in His kingdom! These are very ordinary men with strengths and weaknesses yet chosen to carry on the work of Jesus once He returns to His Father. They are men who, in the company of Jesus, learn who Jesus is--the Son of God--and learn what He is asking of them. Their faith is so strengthened at Pentecost that they are no longer afraid to speak openly and boldly about Jesus' death and resurrection and spread the Gospel that Jesus taught and lived. They risk their very lives in carrying on Jesus' mission of building the Kindom of God (right relationships with all) here on earth to the point of dying for what they believe!
Jesus prayed you and I into this kingdom/kindom as well. At our baptisms we died and rose with Jesus and were given a special mission here on earth in spreading the Gospel by how we live, the words we say or leave unsaid, the behaviors we choose to bring justice to all peoples, to lift others up to their greatest potential as a human being, and to show God's love, mercy, generosity, and forgiveness.
How am I doing as a disciple of Christ? Howe are you doing?
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