“He summoned his twelve disciples … and gave them power.”
Every change of direction in our lives starts with a call. A call from within ourselves, a call from others. No less a person than Winston Churchill felt as if he was “walking with destiny” when he was called to lead Great Britain through World War Two. In the gospel today it is Jesus who takes the initiative. He “summoned” His twelve disciples. It is a call to follow Him. First, Simon Peter, because he is the one through whom Jesus will teach His church, then the others. These twelve will be his close companions as well as the nucleus of His missionary team.
How do the disciples respond to their call? Not by half measures! Peter, the fisherman, “left everything” on the shore. Matthew, the tax collector, also gave up his desk, his position, his power. That both Peter and Matthew are sinners – the one capable of disloyalty, the other of working for the Romans – underlines the gracious nature of their call. It is not by merit that they are chosen but by the divine right of Jesus to call whom He chooses. “You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go out and produce fruit, fruit that will last.” [Jn 15:16]
The mission of the twelve is the same mission of Jesus – to “proclaim the kingdom, cure the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.” As with Jesus their mission is not one of paid employment but a mission of grace. “You received without charge, give without charge.” Could there be a more beautiful call than this? Why in a world of careers devoted to profit and self-serving are there not more young people whose hearts are open to what Pope Francis calls “great ideals, great things”? Let us pray for these priestly, religious and altruistic vocations.
Our greatest call is our baptismal call to holiness – to love God, to live with Him and for Him. We are all summoned to be first-responders to the demands of our faith. Before material security, before personal comfort and political allegiance there comes God. Of course it takes a brave trust to do this, to put our hand in the hand of Jesus and say, “You lead me.” But look at the reward that comes with it! We shall be His very own, consecrated to Him and He will carry us on eagle's wings.
— GM