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Gospel: 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:
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 Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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There are an estimated 225,000 Catholic parishes around the world today. Along with 1.4 billion Catholics, 650,000 religious, 5,000 bishops, 400,000 priests, 50,000 deacons, and 1 pope.
The work of the Catholic Church in terms of charity, outreach, and evangelization is mind-boggling. No other institution in human history has made such a positive difference in the lives of ordinary people – the sick, the poor, the hungry, those seeking Truth – than we have.
While this religious institution founded by Christ is far from perfect, it has also changed the lives of billions of people for the better.
Certainly, mine.
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What’s fascinating about the growth of the Church throughout history is the fact that it began with 12 ordinary disciples, whom Jesus calls in today’s Gospel. They weren’t highly educated or wealthy, but they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
After Pentecost, the Lord sent them out to share the Good News of salvation in what was – and remains – a hostile world.
The Apostles had no TikTok, no Facebook, no media outlets to use. No way of sharing their message instantly, or documenting miracles for hundreds of millions of people to see.
But they had courage, grit, an unshakeable love for Christ, and a message worth dying for: Jesus has been raised from the dead! Repent, and believe in the Gospel.
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Perhaps two important truths can be distilled for us today.
First, Christianity began with a group. Christians have always understood themselves to be part of the Body of Christ on earth. There are no renegades; we’re in this together.
Secondly, this Body of Christ is diverse. The band of the Apostles was a microcosm of how diverse the Church is – and should be – today.
For example, there was Simon the Zealot, a fiery nationalist, and Matthew the Tax Collector, who was seen as being in cahoots with Rome.
These men were as different as different could be, yet they worked together because they were drawn to a higher ideal – the salvation of souls.
It’s that same sense of teamwork – and strength in diversity – that will fuel the Church’s growth today.
1.4 billion Catholics.
What might be your contribution to this human, yet divine, Body today?
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Image credits: (1) Vocation of the Apostles, Domenico Ghirlandaio (2) Shutterstock (3) Go Make a Difference, YouTube