January 21, 2005 - Friday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus Chose His Apostles

Readings:
Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85:8, 10, 11-12, 13-14
Mk 3:13-19

Opening Prayer

Lord God our Father,
you let your Son Jesus associate with him helpers
to 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. Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction

The worship of the old regime of the Law was insufficient, for it had to be replaced. It had only led on the part of the people to legalistic observance. But now comes the new covenant, written in peoples’ hearts, with Jesus as the mediator. There Jesus will speak from the heart: “I came to do your will.” 

First Reading: Heb 8:6-13

Now, however, Jesus enjoys a much higher ministry in being the mediator of a better covenant, founded on better promises. If all had been perfect in the first covenant, there would have been no need for another one. Yet God sees defects when he says:

The days are coming-it is the word of the Lord-when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.

It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They did not keep my covenant, and so I myself have forsaken them, says the Lord.

But this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel in the days to come: I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.

None of them will have to teach one another or say to each other: Know the Lord, for they will know me from the least to the greatest. I will forgive their sins and no longer remember their wrongs.

Here we are being told of a new covenant; which means that the first one had become obsolete, and what is obsolete and aging is soon to disappear.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85:8, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.

Show us, O LORD, your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.

Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.

Gospel Introduction

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.

Gospel Reading: Mk 3:13-19

Jesus went up into the hill country and called those he wanted and they came to him. So he appointed twelve to be with him; and he called them apostles. He wanted to send them out to preach, and he gave them authority to drive out demons.

These are the Twelve: Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John his brother, to whom he gave the name Boanerges, which means "men of thunder"; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

Commentary

AS it becomes clearer what Jesus is preaching and what he is doing, he calls more people to him. He appoints twelve as apostles to preach and gives them authority to drive out demons-to name what hinders us from being the beloved children of God. He names them all, by which family they come from, nicknames, towns they hail from and lastly as one who betrayed him. Are we Jesus' apostles and disciples now? Can we name eleven or twelve of us who together follow him and seek to preach and name the truth about evil in our lives and world? How would we be described-by our family connections, the towns we were born in or live in, a nickname that reflects our personalities or behavior-or sadly would we be known as the one who betrayed Jesus. Jesus wants us all as his own and calls us to him and we go with others, not alone or separately. Are we known by the company we keep and known as his friends and companions?

General Intercessions

–  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.

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