1/23/2026 (Friday) Today’s Gospel reading: Mark 3:13-19

13 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.
14 He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach
15 and to have authority to drive out demons:
16 He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter;
17 James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder;
18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
19 and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

1/23/2026 (Friday) Today’s Gospel reading: Mark 3:13-19

Before crowds filled the shore and voices competed for attention, Jesus made a deliberate choice to step away and go up a mountainside. Away from noise and urgency, He focused not on the many, but on the few. From among His followers, He called those He wanted to be with Him, not because they were impressive or influential, but because they were willing. This quiet moment of selection reminds us that lasting impact is rarely built in public applause; it begins in intentional relationships.

What followed was not simply an invitation to do work, but an invitation to belong. These ordinary individuals were first called to spend time with Him, to learn His ways, absorb His values, and be shaped by His character. Only after that were they sent out. In a modern world obsessed with productivity, this challenges our assumption that worth is measured by output. Faithfulness is first about presence. Before we ask what we can do for God, we are invited to consider who we are becoming with Him.

The group Jesus chose was far from perfect. They came from different backgrounds, carried strong personalities, and held conflicting expectations. Some were impulsive, others skeptical; some dreamed of greatness, others struggled with fear. Yet Jesus did not wait for them to become ideal before trusting them with responsibility. This speaks directly to our time, when many disqualify themselves from service because they feel unready or unworthy. Growth often happens after the calling, not before it.

Jesus also gave them authority, showing that discipleship involves both transformation and mission. They were empowered to confront brokenness and bring hope beyond themselves. Today, this can look like a young professional choosing integrity over shortcuts, even when no one is watching. It can look like parents modeling forgiveness at home, or community leaders standing up for the voiceless. Authority, in this sense, is not about control but about courage—the courage to act in love where there is pain.

Another striking lesson is that community is central to the mission. Jesus did not send His followers alone; He formed them into a group. In an age of hyper-independence, this reminds us that faith is not a solo journey. We need people who challenge us, correct us, and walk with us when enthusiasm fades. Churches, small groups, and faith-based friendships become places where calling is clarified and sustained.

Modern life offers many mountains as quiet spaces where decisions are shaped. It might be early mornings before work, a moment of silence during a commute, or intentional time unplugged from screens. Like Jesus, we are invited to step away, listen deeply, and discern who and what truly matters.

The Gospel passage above reminds us that God still calls ordinary people, forms them through relationship, and sends them with purpose. You do not need to be perfect to be chosen. You need only to be willing to follow, to grow, and to walk alongside others in the journey. When we answer that call, even quietly, our lives become part of something far greater than ourselves.

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