THE WORD
Heb 8,6-13 / Mk 3,13-19
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: (he appointed the twelve) Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
IN OTHER WORDS
Every year in the Krobo Land, in the Eastern part of Ghana, West Africa, my parishioners and I regularly climb two mountains: The Krobo Mountain and the Osonson Mountain for spiritual retreats. There, we thank "TsaatserMawu"— God the Father — for blessings received; ask Him to help us know His will, and beg Him for strength so that we may be faithful in following and courageously witnessing His goodness.
As Christians, we are called by Christ to be faithful followers and courageous witnesses of proclaiming the Good News.
This is what today's Gospel is telling us:
- Christ calls us: "Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted" (Mk. 3:13). His call to us is His initiative and prerogative. "It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you.. (Jn. 15:16).
- To be his faithful followers. . . .that they might be with him" (Mk. 3:14). This discipleship is lasting. ...come and see...and they stayed with him that day" (Jn. 1:38). "That day" can mean a long time (cf. Ps 84:10-11).
- And courageous witnesses of the good news: ...and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons" (Mk. 3:14-15) (cf. Jn 20:21)
- With a response of humility and gratitude: Like the twelve disciples, we don't deserve the call. Many of us are timid and shy, others are doubtful, and others have questionable characters (Cf. Mk 3: 16-19). Yet Christ calls us to be his disciples to stay with him and to be his apostles to go and proclaim the good News (cf. Mk. 16:17-19) because He loves us unconditionally (cf. Jn. 15:13)
With humility and gratitude, be faithful followers and courageous witnesses of Christ.
- Fr. Dionisio Nellas, SVD (Ghana, west Africa)
The Word in other words 2017
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
