Thursday, January 24, 2013

 

FEAST, THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE

JANUARY 25, 2013
FRIDAY, 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR I
FEAST, THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE

Heb 8:6-13 / Ps 117: 1bc. 2 / Mk 3:13-19

HEBREWS 8:6-13
Now, however, Jesus enjoys a much higher ministry in being the mediator of a better covenant, founded on better promises. If all had been perfect in the first covenant, there would have been no need for another one. Yet God sees defects when he says: The days are coming—it is the word of the Lord—when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They did not keep my covenant, and so I myself have forsaken them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel in the days to come: I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people. None of them will have to teach one another or say to each other: Know the Lord, for they will know me from the least to the greatest. I will forgive their sins and no longer remember their wrongs. Here we are being told of a new covenant; which means that the first one had become obsolete, and what is obsolete and aging is soon to disappear.

MARK 3:13-19
Then Jesus went up into the hill country, and called those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve to be with him, and he called them `apostles'. He wanted to send them out to preach, and he gave them authority to drive out demons. These are the Twelve: Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John his brother, to whom he gave the name Boanerges, which means `men of thunder'; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

REFLECTION
What's so special about the twelve apostles? They are really just common people, not even very educated. They were neither wealthy nor people who had positions in society. And yet, Jesus chose them and gave them authority to cast out demons. What characteristics did they have for Jesus to have chosen them?

As we reflect about this question, there are probably three basic characteristics that made them apostle material, which are the following: 1) they were sincerely searching for their savior; 2) they believed that Jesus is their savior; and 3) they were willing to let go of everything to follow Jesus.

First, the apostles were in active search of their Savior. They were really searching for one who would blow their mind away and redeem them from their slavery. Initially, they might have thought that they wanted a force that will help drive away the Roman colonizers. But in the end, they found a more profound freedom from their slavery to sin.

Second, they saw in him what they were looking for. He had authority in speech and deed. The apostles clung to his every word and let themselves get taken in.

Finally, they let go of everything. They followed Jesus wherever he went, and they abandoned the lives they led before they met Jesus. They offered their lives in his service.

As modern followers of Christ, to what extent are we able to follow the same basic steps that the apostles took? If Jesus were on earth now, would we be ready to be picked as his apostles? The fact is, he is present today among us. What do we still need to do in order to be apostle material?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Paz
- Lydia and Judo Pe
- Nick Lucena
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
- Andy Lecaros
- Virginia Hernandez
… for the personal intentions of Jennette
… for the eternal repose of the soul of
- Mrs. Fely M. Posadas
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- In Memoriam (+): Elisa O. Dee
- In Memoriam (+): Manuel S. Ting ( Dec 22, 1920 - Jan 25, 1998 )
- In Memoriam (+): Samson Ravago
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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