Gospel: Luke 6: 12-19
Jesus spends all night in prayer; the disciples do not. Then, Jesus chooses twelve helpers - but for what purpose? We are obsessed with them being chosen; we fixate on their authority and power - but we ignore the real question: why are these people chosen, what were they chosen to do. They were chosen to help in the ministry of Jesus, but what does this mean?
The Gospel text tells us: when they come down the mountain they are met by a large crowd in desperate need of healing. Jesus sets about healing others, but what of the twelve? What are they doing in this scene? Are they encouraging and leading others to Jesus to be healed? Or were they too busy reveling in their new status and position?
This same challenge is posed to us today, for we too are called by the Lord Jesus to help in his ministry. We have the opportunity to bring others to him for healing, or we can revel in our status and position, concerned more with fitted cassocks and grand rectories than clothing the poor and housing the homeless. Jesus came down the mountain to heal and serve others.
No comments:
Post a Comment