Jesus Chose Us—His Apostles of Today
Introduction
The worship of the old regime of the Law was insufficient, for it had to be replaced. It had only led on the part of the people to legalistic observance. But now comes the new covenant, written in peoples’ hearts, with Jesus as the mediator. There Jesus will speak from the heart: “I came to do your will.”
Jesus summons those he wants to work with him. The Twelve, reminding us of the twelve tribes of Israel, were to be the leaders, his intimate companions, and they were to be the foundations, the pillars of his Church, except for Judas, the traitor. Today he summons us all, but to some he gives special tasks in his Church. Yet we all have the task of building up the Church.
Opening Prayer
Lord God our Father, you let your Son Jesus associate with him helpers
to carrying out his work of bringing about a new world and a new humanity. We thank you for the men and the women you choose in the sacred history of your people to guide and lead and inspire us. We too wish to cooperate today toward this new world, and so we ask: Make us close companions of Jesus, inspire us through your Spirit to cooperate with those who shepherd us, and lead us to your future of joy. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
1 Reading: Hebrews 8:6-13
Brothers and sisters: Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one. But he finds fault with them and says: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they did not stand by my covenant and I ignored them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying, “Know the Lord,” for all shall know me, from least to greatest. For I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more. When he speaks of a “new” covenant, he declares the first one obsolete. And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close to disappearing.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 85:8 and 10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.
Show us, O LORD, your mercy, and grant us your salvation. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. R.
Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. R.
The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. R.
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 3:13-19
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.
Commentary
The twelve apostles surround Jesus. The number 12 evokes the tribes of Israel, establishing a clear continuity between the old and the new covenant. Mark emphasizes three characteristics of a disciple. First of all, he must be in communion with Jesus, accompanying, listening and living with Him. Second, he should be sent as an apostle who announces the Gospel whether Christ is present or not. Finally, he is given the power to fight evil and overcome it. This, in short, is the mission that the Church continues in history through her numerous members and institutions around the world.
Intercessions
– That the Pope, Peter’s successor, may be our rock of faith, our model of healing and mercy, and thus the sign of unity in the Church, we pray:
– That our apostles today, our bishops, priests etc., may exercise their authority as a service for community building, we pray:
– That missionaries may discover all the good there is in the hearts and minds of people and their culture, to heal, ennoble and perfect them in Christ, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our shepherd, with bread and wine we celebrate that your people are the body of Christ which you wish to nourish with the body and blood of your Son. Sanctify us and accept our offering which we join to that of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Father, with your whole Church we give you thanks for entrusting to us the good news of Christ and strengthening us with his body. May the whole People of God, which you have called to life spread the good news of Jesus, and give you all praise and glory for all the love you have shown us, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
In his lifetime, Jesus chose the twelve apostles. All along history he continued to choose many to do his work. His work has to continue, and today he calls leaders and guides and calls us to be his apostles. May we fully cooperate with them, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!