Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted…

 

The scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of Jesus calling the Apostles in order for them to go and preach about the kingdom of God and to drive out demons. These were 12 ordinary men with no great education. Just common men that the Lord wanted to use to bring the Good News of God’s love and salvation into the world. Certainly, these men were not perfect. Even one of them, Judas, betrayed the Lord. But Jesus saw in each one of them something special to bring His love and forgiveness into the world.

Our Catholic faith can be traced back to these Apostles, which is why we proclaim each week at Mass that we believe in one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We can trace our faith from Peter and the apostles all the way through the centuries to the Pope and bishops in our Church today. It is through their preaching of the Good News of God that the Church has survived more than 20 centuries.

We, too, like the Apostles, are called to be followers of Jesus and to bring the message of the Lord to those in our lives. We may not always get it right, and there may be times when, like Judas, we may turn away from the Lord. But we must remember that the Lord is always there waiting for us to turn back to him for forgiveness just in case we fall short of what God is calling us to do in Jesus’ name.

Peter denied Jesus three times, but, after the Resurrection, the Lord forgave Peter. Judas could have had the same forgiveness from Jesus that Peter received if he had the faith and courage to realize that God is all forgiving. Instead, he turned away from God in despair.

Let us always remember that God is present for us and wants us to be his instruments of salvation to those in our lives. If we fall short, let us just turn back to Jesus and ask for forgiveness by saying to Jesus, “Lord, you know that I love you.” Then Jesus will say to us, like he said to Peter, “Feed my sheep.”

Each time we approach the Lord in Holy Communion, let us, like the psalmist in today’s psalm say, “Show us, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation.”