10/28/2024 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reading: Luke 6:12-16
12 Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.
13 When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
15 Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot,
16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
10/28/2024 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 6:12-16
This Gospel passage describes how Jesus went up on a mountainside and spent the whole night praying to God. The next morning, He called His disciples and chose twelve of them, designating them as apostles. Among those chosen were Peter, James, John, and even Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Him.
This narrative offers us a powerful lesson in prayer, purpose, and calling. Jesus’ decision to spend the entire night in prayer before choosing His apostles shows the importance of seeking God’s guidance in critical moments of our lives. If the Son of God Himself found it essential to consult His Father in deep, extended prayer, how much more should we prioritize time with God in prayer for direction in our lives?
Often, when faced with important decisions, whether it’s about relationships, careers, or other life choices, we can be tempted to rush ahead, relying on our own understanding. But Jesus shows us the importance of aligning our will with God’s. His all-night prayer session reflects a deep connection and dependence on the Father. This is an invitation for us to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer, making it our first response, not our last resort. Through prayer, we gain clarity, wisdom, and peace for the path ahead.
Jesus’ choice of the twelve apostles also reveals that God’s calling doesn’t depend on our qualifications or perfection. Among the twelve were fishermen, tax collectors, and even a future betrayer. The apostles were a diverse group, with their own flaws and weaknesses. Yet, Jesus chose them to carry out His mission, demonstrating that God doesn’t call the perfect, but He perfects the called.
This truth is both comforting and empowering. Sometimes, we feel unworthy of God’s calling because of our past mistakes, weaknesses, or lack of ability. But God’s criteria for calling us is not based on how “qualified” we are in the world’s eyes. He calls us because He sees beyond our shortcomings; He sees our potential and how His power can work through us.
God has a unique calling for each of us, just as He had for each of the apostles. Whether you feel like Peter, full of passion but prone to mistakes, or like Matthew, once considered an outcast, remember that God chooses us not because of who we are, but because of who He is. His grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Moreover, the inclusion of Judas in this list reminds us of the mystery of God’s plan. Even though Judas later betrayed Jesus, God still allowed him to be part of the twelve. This teaches us that even when things don’t go as we expect, God is still sovereign. His plans are greater than our understanding, and He can bring redemption out of even the darkest moments.
This particular Gospel story teaches us to prioritize prayer, trust God’s calling, and remember that His plans for us transcend our limitations. Let us be encouraged today that God sees our potential and is ready to guide us through every decision and calling in our lives, no matter how uncertain or daunting they may seem.
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