[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

January 19, 2018 – Christ Chooses Me to collaborate

18 Jan 2018

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Father Robert DeCesare, LC

Mark 3:13-19

He went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: (he appointed the Twelve:) Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that through baptism you have invited me to share in your friendship. I trust in your Church, Lord. You have given us this institution as the guide to help us in our salvation. I love you, Lord, because you have loved me first. I love you, Lord, for calling me to be your friend and apostle. I may be a mere sinner, but with you, Lord, I believe that I can do great things.

Petition: Lord, help me to collaborate in your work of salvation.

1. Christ Summoned Those Whom He Wanted: Christ has chosen to need our assistance. He wants our help with the great work of the New Evangelization. As great and powerful as Christ is, he has willed that man collaborate with him in his plan of salvation. He wants to involve others in helping people to come to know, love and serve him. He makes use of man’s free and responsible collaboration in order to carry out his plans. Therefore, even though man is a creature of very limited possibilities, he can achieve truly unimaginable things when he lives and works for God.

2. He Calls Me by Name: Christ does not haphazardly choose me to collaborate with him in the New Evangelization. He knows me. He knows me better than I know myself, and out of love he invites me to be with him. When he calls me by name, he reaches into the depths of my heart and soul. He delves into the depths of who I am, and he identifies with me. When he calls me by name, he calls me out of love; “he calls me to share in his own divine life” (Lumen Gentium, 2). He calls me by name because he knows how great the gift is that he wishes to share with me.

3. He Gives Me a Mission: “He sent them to preach and to drive out demons” (Mark 3:14-15). Christ doesn’t call me just to enjoy the present life. He has created me for a purpose. He has given me a specific vocation that only I can fulfill. I am irreplaceable; there will never be another me. The opportunity that I have to share in this friendship with Our Lord is an invitation to do something with him and for him. Christ’s love for me invites and beckons me to collaborate with him. Who can resist an invitation to collaborate with someone so great, and with an offer so challenging and yet so fulfilling?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you have wished for me to enter your friendship. You have called me by name to be your friend. You have invited me to help you in the New Evangelization. I want to help you and do my part. Give me the strength to be close to you and to collaborate with you in this great undertaking.

Resolution: I will bring up the faith in a conversation with someone.

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

January 19, 2018

The call of the Twelve, the close companions and disciples of Jesus in his public ministry, teaches us about trust in God and trust in our fellows.

In the various Gospel accounts of the call of his first disciples, who became his Apostles, the Twelve, we see how readily they responded when Jesus called. Jesus passes by, calls Andrew and Peter, James and John, Matthew the tax­ collector, and they follow him, leaving their boats and livelihood.

These followers of Jesus showed faith, trust and obedience to Jesus’ call: “We have found the Messiah,” (Jn 1: 41); “we found the one that Moses wrote about in the Law, and the prophets, as well: he is Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” (Jn 1: 45)

Eventually their following and companionship grew into love of Jesus, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” (Jn 21: 15)

The call of the disciples and the naming the Twelve also show God’s great trust in men: that the saving work of his Son would be continued by fellow human beings. What is truly amazing is that God chose ordinary people for his close followers and friends, for the Twelve: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.” (Mt 16: 18) “Feed my lambs,” (Jn 21: 15)

We thank God for his trust in us, of course, with his grace and great help. We thank God for our leaders in the Church and in our society.