Tags
Apostles, Bible Reflection, Discipleship, Faith, Grace, Jesus, Love, Luke 6:12-19, Mercy, Prayer, The Twelve
As I read and meditated on Tuesday’s Gospel, I couldn’t help but wonder about a few things.
“In those days He departed to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, He called His disciples to Himself, and from them He chose Twelve, whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” (Luke 6:12-16 NAB)
Did Jesus spend the night in prayer discerning which of His disciples He would choose to be the Twelve? And, if so, what criteria did He consider? Was He looking for the one with the greatest love for God? Or, the one who was most faithful? Or, maybe the one most loyal to Him? Perhaps the deciding quality was the ability and willingness to show compassion and mercy to others. Could it have been the ones who demonstrated love for their neighbors as they loved themselves? Or, was it the ones who had the greatest zeal to go out and spread the Good News?
One would think it would have been several or all of those things. But, then, maybe it was none of them.
And, did He learn from his prayerful conversation with God that night that Judas Iscariot would betray Him?
Who knows.
But, an even more important question came to my mind: “Would He have chosen me?”
Followed by, “If not, why not?”
In which of those qualities that, on the surface, would seem to have been the most important to Him, do I not measure up? Just a few? Or all of them?
It gives me something to pray about, to ask Him to show me where I should focus my attention.
Would you have been chosen? What would have excluded you?
“Lord Jesus, I love You and I desire to grow closer to You. I give You thanks for Your Mercy. I pray for the Grace to always trust in You, to always live the Father’s commandments, and to be Your voice, hands and feet in spreading Your Good News. Amen.”
(The Choosing was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)
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That would have been incredible to witness that time.
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Hey Norm! Yeah, imagine the anticipation. All the disciples are gathered round Him, and He starts choosing. How did the Twelve feel? How did those feel who weren’t chosen? The bigger question today is what are we doing now to ensure we’re chosen when He returns!
Be safe, my friend!
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That is an eternal question. Would God have chosen me? What qualities did he look for in his apostles? Much to pray for in that regard, am I the person God wants need to be? What else do I need to do to attain heaven ? So I guess I have more questions than answers, and lead me God, to who you want me to be and what you want me to do.
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Hi Judy, thanks for your comment. Yep, that’s the eternal question. But, it doesn’t end with the answer to the question, “What do I have to do?” You have to follow up and actually do it.
Take care and God bless!
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