Psalm 85:5 and 10.11-12.13- 14,
Called to be With Jesus and to be Sent
Brethren, we continue to reflect on the letter to the Hebrews which centres mostly on the High Priesthood of Christ and how Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. Today, the letter shows us that Christ established a new covenant which replaced the old covenant which God had established with his people, the Israelites, at the time of coming out from Egypt. This is what we call the Old Covenant, but unfortunately, this covenant was not adhered to by the Israelites by disobeying God and turning to their own ways. Then, through prophet Jeremiah 33, as quoted in our first reading today, because God loved them beyond compare, He promised to make with them a new and eternal covenant which will be written on their hearts and where every individual will follow it without excuse, because it will be written in one's conscience and not by being taught by anyone or anything external. Jesus came to establish this new covenant.
Jesus, as a high priest, did this through his once and for all sacrifice on the cross, shedding of blood as seal of the covenant and which at the last super ordered us to always eat his body and drink his blood in remembrance of him and thus entering an eternal and everlasting covenant between us and God. Since then, this had been written in our hearts inviting us to always do the same as he did, giving up ourselves to serve God and do charity to our neighbours. But before he established the everlasting covenant, one of the things which he had to do in this world was to establish a kingdom of God through proclaiming the Gospel and then to find those who were to carry on the work after he had gone back to the Father. That's why we see him today choosing the twelve in the Gospel.
Why did Jesus choose the twelve? They are chosen for two purposes, ‘to be with him’ and to go out to proclaim. They are made Jesus’ own also by his imposition of names. Normally only a father imposes a name, just as Zechariah names his son John (Luke 1.63), and God in Genesis 17.5 imposes a new name on Abraham to signify his adoption of Abraham. So Jesus in Matthew 16.13 imposes a new name on Simon, calling him ‘Peter’ (in Aramaic ‘Kepha’, Galatians 2.14) or ‘Rock’. Changing their names meant being given a new mission, even John whom he named Son of the Thunder (Boanerges).
Christ also has chosen to need our assistance. He first invites us to stay with him but later he wants our help with the great work of the New Evangelization. As great and powerful as Christ is, he has willed that man collaborate with him in his plan of salvation. He wants to involve others in helping people to come to know, love and serve him. He makes use of man’s free and responsible collaboration in order to carry out his plans. Therefore, even though man is a creature of very limited possibilities, he can achieve truly unimaginable things when he lives and works for God.
And so brethren, when we have stayed with Jesus and been trained in the knowledge and things of God, we are supposed to go out and proclaim this good news so that we and all others may experience the love of God. Jesus gives and will always give us power and authority to overcome the devil and establish the kingdom of God. The good news is that we will not do it alone; he will be with us to guide us, teach us and help us if we heed to him and take the mission not as our own but God's. Are you ready and willing to respond to His call, to receive his training and participate in his mission?
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, you have called me to be your apostle. It is a mission well beyond me, and many times I do not understand how to do it well. I have tried to meditate on the reasons why you have called me and the reasons you call all of us and found that it is to be with you and participate in your saving work. Help me to stay close to you always. Help me to preach you fearlessly to everyone that I meet. Keep me strong against the temptations of the devil. Amen
Be blessed.
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