Reflection
When was the last time you spent the night in prayer? I don’t think I have ever spent an entire night in prayer. In our Gospel today, Jesus ascends the mountain and spent the whole night in prayer to God. It is immediately after this time of deep solitude and prayer that Jesus called the twelve apostles. What qualifications did these 12 men have to deserve such special appointment? In the heart of these ordinary men, Jesus saw the seed of faith and a longing to be in relationship with God.
Jesus makes a distinction between disciples and apostles. Jesus has many disciples, but He only selects twelve to be designated apostles. Later Jesus appoints 70 others for a preaching mission (Luke 10). The apostles are being selected from a considerably larger group of followers.
While "disciple" means "learner, pupil, devoted follower," the word "apostle" means "ambassador, delegate, messenger.” Apostles are sent out. These men are designated apostles because they are given a particular commission or set of orders. "The Great Commission" was given first to the apostles, and then, by extension, to the Church they established.
When we look at the apostles Jesus chose, we see ordinary men who learned to walk in the Spirit to do extraordinary things. These men are far from perfect. Yet, in spite of themselves, God used them powerfully to change the known world in a single generation.
Each time I consider Jesus calling the apostles, I think of my name among them. Jesus sees and values what I can bring to the world, my unique gifts and talents. I pray for a deeper appreciation of myself as I acknowledge that Jesus has chosen me and calls me to a particular purpose and task.
Jesus reveals that we ought to pray fervently when we have an important decision to make. We pray for strength to make hard decisions. We pray for wisdom and understanding that we may be able to discern the will of God in our life. We pray for humility and purity of heart that whatever we do, we do it for the glory of God. We pray that we will hear Jesus call our name and respond YES knowing He will equip us for every task He provides.