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Today's Gospel passage of the choosing of the twelve apostles is all too familiar to us. These twelve were neither extraordinary men of significant social stature nor geniuses in their society. They were ordinary men who were promised that they would undertake tasks greater than themselves because of their complete faith in Jesus. On numerous occasions, Mark presents them as incorrigibly confused and lacking in understanding. They were ordinary men called to accomplish great works for God. It is much easier for us to appreciate from afar the call of the disciples without questioning its implications for our own Christian lives. Isn't Jesus calling us just as He called the twelve? For sure, we are no better than the apostles. We too, most of us, are ordinary citizens of a country who lack any significant power or influence to change the course of society as a whole. We too are insignificant individuals who are more often unknowingly manipulated by the forces of society. Yet, despite all these similar experiences which we have with the apostles aren't we too being called to achieve tremendous deeds for God empowered by our faith in Jesus? Lord, empower me that I too may believe in Your power just as the apostles did. Amen. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That Christians may favour the evangelisation of the new generations through the constant search for the unity wanted by Christ.
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The question of full Christian unity and evangelisation led to the beginnings of the ecumenical movement. The Holy Father decries the negative consequences of division among Christians and calls them to search for full Christian Unity as inspired by the Lord's Prayer. As evangelisers we must offer Christ's faithful an image of people who are mature in faith and capable of finding a meeting point beyond all tensions. The destiny of evangelisation is bound up with the witness of unity given to the Church. The urgency of preaching and displaying unity to the world arises from the fact that Christians can impair the vitality of proclaiming the Gospel and even become a scandal to the world, particularly when the churches appear to proclaim "a kingdom against itself". It is clear that the proclamation of the Gospel by divided Christians becomes counter- itness. As Christians we ought to give collaborative common witness which is founded in the common baptism in Christ and faith in the Triune God. Pray for the courage to work positively with other Christians for the purpose of promoting evangelisation. | |
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