Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the second week in ordinary time, January 23rd, 2026

Delivered by Maria Olivia from the Kristus Raja Parish in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. 1 Samuel 24: 3-21; Rs psalm 57: 2.3-4.6.11; Mark 3: 13-19.JESUS APPOINTED THE 12 APOSTLES The title for our meditation today is: Jesus Appointed the 12Apostles. Jesus in the Gospel of Mark chapter 3 went up on a hill and calledthose He wanted, then appointed twelve men to accompany Him, to be sent, and toreceive power of preaching the Gospel. This act of "appointing" isnot just a choosing, but a divine decision full of power and meaning.  When God acts to appoint, He is teaching men about trueauthority: the power to lead, to govern, to shepherd, and to unite. God'sleadership is never intended to oppress, but rather to organize the people towalk in truth, to be preserved in love, and to grow in strong unity. We see a similar pattern in the history of salvation of theIsraelites. When God appointed David as king, he did not mean that he wasmerely "appointing a new man," but it also opened the way for Saul tostep down from leadership that was no longer in harmony the will of God. Goddoes not just change leaders, but forms a new direction for His people so thatthe course of the history of salvation remains in harmony with the will of God.David was appointed not because of his human prowess alone, but because he waswilling to be formed as a shepherd for the nation. From this we learn thatGod's decree always has a spiritual purpose: to lead people to repentance,restore order, and redirect life to His plan. So it was when Jesus appointed the twelve apostles. They werenot chosen because they were perfect, but because they were called to enter theformation process. The apostles' first task was not to do the great workimmediately, but to "be with Jesus": to be good disciples, to befaithful to the Master, and to keep learning from his heart. The faithfulnessof these disciples is the main foundation for the ministry. For one cannot be apreacher of the Gospel without first living in communion with Christ. Trueservice is born from a heart that knows God, not just from skills or positions. After becoming disciples, the apostles were sent to continueJesus' work in the world. But the mission reached its fullness when the HolySpirit was poured out on the event of Pentecost. From there the Church was bornas a living communion, not just an organization. The apostles became thebedrock of the Church, and through them, the responsibility of building upGod's people began: proclaiming the gospel, administering the sacraments,maintaining unity, and shepherding the people in love. This task was thencontinued by the Church throughout the ages, with her missionary and apostolicresponsibility: sent to the world, but still rooted in the faith of theapostles. The Church is like a spring of Christ and flows through theapostles to revive many dry places. So we are called to be faithful disciples,and to be part of the Church sent to present Christ to the world. Letus pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus, strengthen us as membersof Your Church and lead us in the path of truth and life, so that this Churchmay be a sign of Your glory that rules the whole world. Our Father who art inheaven... In the name of the Father ...