I AM CALLED; YOU TOO ARE!

⏰Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time 1 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (22 Jan 2021)

📖Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85:5 and 10, 11-12, 13-14 (R.v.11a); Mark 3:13-19

🎤I AM CALLED; YOU TOO ARE!

Yesterday, we talked of the need to follow Jesus just as the great crowd followed him. But today’s consideration of Mark 3:13-19 shows us that Jesus wants more than we remaining in the crowd that follows him about. He wants us to be with him.

The Gospel of Mark made use of that phrase, “to be with him,” very often (cf. Mark 2:19; 3:14; 4:36; 5:18; 14:14, 67; 15:41). Given the close association of the Gospel with the Apostle Peter, we can say that this was a heart desire of Jesus. Why not! Did you not see that he was the one who called them to himself (Mark 3:13)?

Note the location of that call; it is on the mountain. The mountain connotes serenity and quietness that often indicates the presence of God (cf. 1 Kings 19:12-13). It shows that Jesus wanted them to have an encounter with God.

A very important dimension to that call is that those called came to him. You need not to be told that not all would answer that call. At least, we are sure that those Pharisees and Herodians who were planning against him (Mark 3:6) will not come. At your baptism, that call is equally extended to you; are you ready to come to him?

Jesus needs us to come to him because it was from those who came to him that he appointed those he sent out to further his mission.

More than that; it pays to be with him because that guarantees the fulfilment of that promise, “I will be their God and they shall be my people” (Heb 8:10; cf. Ezek 37:27) in our lives. That places us in a privileged position to receive the favour and mercy of God.

I am ready to be with Jesus forever. What about you?

May God grant you a strong disposition to be with him, and as you do so, may his goodness and favour continue to follow all the days of your life, and in the end, eternal life through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

It is well with you.