Friday, 24 January 2025, Francis de Sales, Bishop & Doctor, Memorial

Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home.

Reflection

• The Lord’s choice of followers may surprise me, and at times I may have difficulties with them, but do I realize that they are chosen, with their faults, just as I am?

• Today I pause in gratitude for this in my prayer.