28 The 12 Apostles

Gospel

Luke 6:12-19

Jesus chooses his twelve apostles

Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’: Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.

He then came down with them and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. People tormented by unclean spirits were also cured, and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all.

Reflection

Jesus’ choice of the twelve apostles begins not with a strategic plan, but with a night of solitary prayer. This demonstrates that meaningful mission and leadership must be birthed from communion with God. These twelve men, though ordinary and diverse, were set apart to carry His message. Yet, Jesus does not stay on the mountain; He descends to the level ground, meeting people in their brokenness. His life shows a perfect rhythm: withdrawing to be filled by the Father, then returning to pour Himself out in service.

Question for Reflection

Before making major decisions or starting your day, do you seek God’s guidance in solitude as Jesus did, or do you rely primarily on your own strength?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for calling us by name to be Your disciples. Teach us to prioritize time in Your presence so that our actions may be rooted in Your will. Grant us the compassion to serve those around us and the faith to believe in Your healing power. Amen.

Comments

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