16 Shim‘on, to whom he gave another name, “Kefa”;
17 Ya‘akov Ben-Zavdai and Yochanan, Ya‘akov’s brother — to them he gave the name “B’nei-Regesh” (that is, “Thunderers”);
18 Andrew, Philip, Bar-Talmai, Mattityahu, T’oma, Ya‘akov Ben-Halfai, Taddai, Shim‘on the Zealot,
19 and Y’hudah from K’riot, the one who betrayed him.
Then he entered a house;
2nd Week in Ordinary TimeJesus . . . summoned those whom he wanted. (Mark 3:13)
There was a couple who decided to adopt children, but when they were given the opportunity to be matched with a child, they were overwhelmed. The agency presented them with an album filled with babies’ pictures and asked them to choose one from all of these children. When the woman’s eyes fell on one particular child, in her heart she knew that this was the child God had chosen for their family.
Years later, upon hearing this story from her adoptive parents, the daughter was awed. Her birthmother had protected her in the womb; her adoptive family had chosen her from among so many others; and here she is today, alive, healthy, and loved!
In today’s Gospel reading, we hear another story about being chosen—Jesus’ choice of the twelve apostles. Of all of Jesus’ followers, these were the men he chose and sent out to preach and drive out demons (Mark 3:14). Who would have thought that such simple, common fishermen would join a tax collector—Matthew—and a political activist—Simon the Zealot—and band together to have such an impact on the world?
God has a call and a plan for each of us, even for each child in the womb, waiting to be born. Today, believers in the United States observe the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. It’s a day when we can affirm that God wants each of these vulnerable children, just as that young girl’s mother wanted her. It’s a day when we can band together—no matter where we are—and pray for an end to abortion around the world.
God has given each of us the precious gift of life. He has called each of us by name and set us apart for his purposes. Today, let’s thank him for all he has done for us. At the same time, let’s dedicate ourselves to protecting all the vulnerable children yet to be born. Especially during this Year of Mercy, may they be welcomed into life, and may they all live to fulfill God’s call for them!
“Father, thank you for calling me your child! Protect each unborn child today. May they all be brought forth to live a full and blessed life!” Amen!
1 Samuel 24:3 (2) Sha’ul took three thousand men chosen from all Isra’el and went searching for David and his men on the cliffs where the mountain goats are. 4 (3) Near some sheep pens along the way was a cave, and Sha’ul went inside to relieve himself. It happened that David and his men were sitting in the recesses at the back of the cave; 5 (4) and David’s men said to him, “Look! The day has come that Adonai told you about when he said to you, ‘I will turn your enemy over to you, and you will do to him whatever seems good to you.’” Then David stole over unobserved and cut off the corner of Sha’ul’s cloak. 6 (5) But after doing this, David felt remorse over cutting Sha’ul’s garment. 7 (6) He said to his men, “Adonai forbid that I should do such a thing to my lord, Adonai’s anointed, as raise my hand against him! After all, he is Adonai’s anointed.” 8 (7) By saying this, David stopped his men and would not let them do anything to Sha’ul. Sha’ul got up, left the cave and went on his way.
9 (8) Then David too got up and went outside the cave, where he called after Sha’ul, “My lord the king!” When Sha’ul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. 10 (9) David said to Sha’ul, “Why do you listen to people who say, ‘David is out to harm you?’ 11 (10) Here, today you have seen with your own eyes that Adonai put you in my power there in the cave. Some of my men said I should kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I won’t raise my hand against my lord, because he is Adonai’s anointed.’ 12 (11) Moreover, my father, look! Here in my hand you see the corner of your cloak. By the fact that I only cut off a piece of your cloak and didn’t kill you, you can see and understand that I have no plan to do harm or rebel, and that I haven’t sinned against you — even though you are seeking every chance you get to take my life. 13 (12) May Adonai judge between you and me, and may Adonai avenge me on you! But I will not lay a hand on you — 14 (13) as the old saying has it, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness, but I will not lay a hand on you.’ 15 (14) The king of Isra’el has come on a campaign — after whom? Whom are you chasing? A dead dog! A single flea! 16 (15) Adonai be the judge; let him decide between you and me. May he take my side and rescue me from your power!”
17 (16) After David had finished speaking to Sha’ul, Sha’ul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Then Sha’ul cried out and wept; 18 (17) and he said to David, “You are more righteous than I, because you have treated me well, while I have been treating you badly. 19 (18) You have made it clear to me today that you have done me good; for when Adonai put my fate in your hands, you didn’t kill me. 20 (19) A man finds his enemy and lets him go unharmed?! May Adonai reward you well for what you did to me today. 21 (20) Now I’m certain that you will indeed become king, and that the kingship of Isra’el will be established in your hands.
Psalm 57:2 (1) Show me favor, God, show me favor;
for in you I have taken refuge.
Yes, I will find refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the storms have passed.
3 (2) I call to God, the Most High,
to God, who is accomplishing his purpose for me.
4 (3) He will send from heaven and save me
when those who would trample me down mock me. (Selah)
God will send his grace and his truth.
6 (5) Be exalted, God, above heaven!
May your glory be over all the earth!
11 (10) For your grace is great, all the way to heaven,
and your truth, all the way to the skies.
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