Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus Chose His Apostles
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
The greatness of David is shown in the act that he spares the life of Saul when the latter is pursuing David. David, though persecuted, wants to do no harm to the king, the Lord’s anointed.
Gospel. Jesus summons those he wants to work with him. The Twelve, reminding us of the twelve tribes of Israel, were to be the leaders, his intimate companions, and they were to be the foundations, the pillars of his Church, except for Judas, the traitor. Today, he summons us all, but to some, he gives special tasks in his Church. Yet, we all have the task of building up the Church.
Opening Prayer
Lord God, our Father,
you let your Son, Jesus associate with him helpers
in carrying out his work
of bringing about a new world and a new humanity.
We thank you for the men and the women
you choose in the sacred history of your people
to guide and lead and inspire us.
We too wish to cooperate today
toward this new world, and so we ask:
Make us close companions of Jesus,
inspire us through your Spirit
to cooperate with those who shepherd us,
and lead us to your future of joy.
Grant this through Christ, our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (2a) Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
I call to God the Most High,
to God, my benefactor.
May he send from heaven and save me;
may he make those a reproach who trample upon me;
may God send his mercy and his faithfulness.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prayers of the Faithful
– That the pope, Peter’s successor, may be our rock of faith, our model of healing and mercy, and thus the sign of unity in the Church, we pray:
– That our apostles today, our bishops, may exercise their authority as a service for community building, we pray:
– That missionaries may discover all the good there is in the hearts and minds of people and their culture, to heal, ennoble, and perfect them in Christ, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Shepherd,
with bread and wine we celebrate
that your people are the body of Christ
which you wish to nourish
with the body and blood of your Son.
Sanctify us and accept our offering,
which we join to that of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Father,
with your whole Church, we give you thanks
for entrusting to us the Good News of Christ
and strengthening us with his body.
May the whole People of God,
which you have called to life
spread the Good News of Jesus,
and give you all praise and glory
for all the love you have shown us,
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
In his lifetime, Jesus chose the Twelve Apostles. All along history he continued to choose many to do his work. His work has to continue, and today he calls many to be our leaders and guides. May we fully cooperate with them, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTION:
Mark 3: 13-19
The Gospel today inspires us through the call and mission of the twelve apostles. Jesus' invitation, which starts with a few and expands into a community, reminds us of our own call to discipleship and mission. This passage encourages us to renew our lives as followers of the Lord in this Jubilee Year.
Jesus calls his apostles for a twofold mission: to be with Him and to be sent out. This dual purpose defines our Christian vocation and identity as well. To be with Jesus involves cultivating a relationship with Him through prayer, reflection, and community. It is an invitation to ascend the mountain, as Jesus did, to encounter God intimately. The apostles’ journey to the mountain mirrors Moses’ encounter with God, urging us to prioritise our time – to walk with him, to go up the mountains of prayer and solitude.
Equally important is the mission to go out, proclaiming the Good News and standing against the powers of evil that alienate and oppress. This mission challenges us to bring hope to the poor, the marginalised, and the broken-hearted, just as Jesus and His apostles did. It remindsus that faith and action go hand in hand.
The apostles, personally handpicked by the Lord, reflect the unique and personal nature of the Lord’s call to each of us. Just as the apostles were named from a lineage rich in meaning, so too are we called by name to participate in the Mission of the Lord.
As Pilgrims of Hope, let us embrace the apostolic call: to be rooted in Christ and to bring His light to the world. Let us pray for strength to journey faithfully as a forming, missionary, and hope-filled community.
Mark 3: 13-19
The one whom Jesus loved
Today in the Gospel, Jesus gathers his disciples. And he appointed twelve Apostles “that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux relates that she began writing her spiritual memoir in obedience to her religious superior, who was also her own elder sister. As she prayed that she wouldn't write anything displeasing to Christ, she took up the Gospel of Mark, and her eyes fell on these words: "Jesus summoned those whom he desired."
This verse describes the way Christ has worked within her soul: "He does not call those who are worthy, but those whom he pleases." The story of Little Terese is one of a divine love that graciously wishes for the welfare of another.
God's call is not an exchange of rewards for our merits — because God's favour is purely a free gift, and we cannot merit it. Our call to be his disciple is his choice and not ours. He calls us because he loves us.
However, not all of the apostles or all of their successors were faithful to the call. Many ask whether Jesus was wrong in the choice of Judas and why did he chose him. The answer is clear from the first part of the Gospel: Jesus called them, because he loved them. That is the only reason why he calls you and me.
The one whom Jesus loved - Youtube
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
DAY 6
One Lord and Father
Verse for the day
One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all (Eph 4:6).
Additional Scripture passages
1 Kings 8:56-60; Psalm 148:7-13; Matthew 5:44-48
Reflection
In Ephesians 4:6, St Paul emphasises the profound oneness of God, declaring that he is “above all and through all and in all”. God is both transcendent, existing beyond all, and immanent, actively present within his creation. This foundational truth calls the Church to embody and live out unity, rooted in the shared belief in one true God, the Father of all believers. “All” signifies that every person created in God’s image falls under God’s authority. Worshipping one God creates a strong bond of unity among Christians. Just as family members find common ground through their love for a parent, Christians are called to be united in their devotion to the same Father.
A question to consider:
In what ways can the image of God as the loving and caring Father of all be integrated into the mission and ministry of our different church communities so as to promote a more unified Christian witness in the world?
Prayer
We confess with faith and worship you, Loving Father, for you are in heaven beyond words, and on earth beyond understanding, through your Son, Jesus Christ. In your tender care, you are the beginning and fulfilment of everything. Glory forever to you, Father, with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.St Gregory of Narek (adapted)