Word to the Wise
Friday, January 20, 2017 - Friday in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 8:6-13 and Mark 3:13-19]Jesus 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. [Mark]
In the Bible, important things happen on mountains. In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments are given on a mountain. In the New Testament we have the Sermon on the Mount (a new covenant) and the Transfiguration (a moment of revelation). So, when a passage begins with "Jesus went up the mountain," we know something important is happening. In this case, Jesus appoints twelve disciples to be his closest collaborators. He also calls them "apostles," which means in Greek someone who is sent to do something. (Capitalizing "Twelve" and "Apostles" in the New American Bible text is the choice of the American bishops, not the original manuscripts!) We recall this important moment when we profess in the Nicene creed our faith in "one, holy, catholic and APOSTOLIC church." We regard the pope and bishops as "successors of the apostles."
They were an interesting bunch: fishermen, a tax collector, a political zealot, etc.. Most of us only meet bishops one at a time and usually only the one who is bishop of the diocese where we live. I've met many over the years and I can say THEY are an interesting bunch, too! The Holy Spirit works with all kinds of materials. Pope Francis, however, has served all of them notice that he expects the shepherds of the flock to have "the smell of the sheep." He has bluntly denounced "careerism" in our leadership. Since tradition holds that most of the original apostles died as martyrs, the job does have its risks and even without martyrdom it has plenty of headaches! Whoever serves as bishop of our local church deserves our prayers. He personifies the moment in the gospel today - a continuity reaching back to the Lord's call. Most of all, the Successor to St. Peter," Pope Francis needs those prayers! AMEN
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