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Gospel Reading for January 24, 2025 – Mark 3: 13-19
BEACON OF HOPE
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.
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Jesus did not go solo in his mission of salvation, of course, not because he could not do it alone, after all, he is the Son of God so anything is possible. He could, had he wanted, but his mission of salvation had to continue even after he had gone back to the Father. The world needs to be saved until he finally comes in glory as judge of us all.
The word “apostle” comes from Classical Greek “apostolos” which means – one who is sent. The 12 are not the only ones who were sent. Although we are not successors of the 12 apostles, by virtue of our baptism, we share in the apostolic mission of being priests (living a life of prayer), prophets (living as witnesses of Christ), and kings (living a life of service to others, especially those in need). Therefore, we cannot claim that since we are not Bishops or members of the clergy, we do not have a part in the apostolic mission of Christ.
The world cannot be saved by only a few. Jesus needs us to put all our efforts together, and with the help of his Spirit be a BEACON OF HOPE to everyone!
