24 January 2020 - with him

Today's Readings

(Audio)

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.

We are called by Jesus. He wants us. Let us come to him. We are not all Apostles, but we are still included in his calling of the Apostles by the bishops of the Church who are their successors. We are called to be present to Jesus in union with them. We are each called to share in their work to some degree, both to do it and to receive it.

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:

The priority here is that they might be with him. This is the priority for us as well. From that vantage we too are called to live lives and even speak words to preach the good news of the Kingdom. We too are given authority.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you (see Luke 10:19).

The authority of the Kingdom and the call to preach are such dramatic things that they can obscure the first thing which is the most essential. Even here at the source of this missionary calling we find the call to be a contemplative, to simply be with Jesus, and to choose the good portion.

but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her (see Luke 10:42).

If we start with Jesus and abide with him he will be able to work powerfully through us. If David hadn't been attentive to the promptings of the LORD and to the Spirit who rushed upon him he would not have shown mercy to Saul. It would have been easy to charge on through and complete what could easily be seen as a victory the LORD gave him over the most significant problem he then faced. So too in our lives. It is easy to take what the LORD is doing into our hands and to start making and acting on our own assumptions. It takes faith to believe that leaving the hostile king alive can actually work out for a greater good.

May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day.
And now, I know that you shall surely be king
and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession.

Let us ask the LORD to unite us with the Apostles, who, in union with Peter, build the Kingdom in present day. May we all, in the midst of noise and haste, find the time to simply be with Jesus and then, from there, to be sent out.

In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.