Faith Daily | 20 January 2023

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p528

Almighty God,

by whose grace alone we are accepted

and called to your service:

strengthen us by your Holy Spirit

and make us worthy of our calling;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Mark 3: 13-19

13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve[a] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means ‘sons of thunder’), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Virginia Hasker

Having been baptized by John the Baptist and endured the temptation in the desert, Jesus is now getting his ministry into gear. He needs some companions, helpers, and recognises that he needs to train a group of people to work with him and after him in order to spread the word and work of God’s ministry here on earth. In this description in the Gospel Jesus gathered them and appointed them as a group of twelve together.

A group was chosen. A group of people offer different personalities and skills. A group is a stronger unit than an individual. They can support and complement each other. The group of disciples formed the first congregation of the Church.

It’s also notable that as disciples we need other Christian friends and companions along the way. To be a disciple by yourself is too difficult and so the calling of 12 disciples by Jesus for his ministry has a recognition of the needs of us all, as well as Jesus, for friendship, support and companionship.

Our Church is made up of individuals who form groups who take on different roles and responsibilities within the life and community of the Church. We are all disciples in the modern day within the body of Christ, the Church.

FINAL PRAYER From John 8: 12

Jesus, light of the world, as I follow You today would You illuminate the darkness within me. Show me Your presence and Your path as I welcome the light of life.

Amen