Lk. 6:12-19: “… He called his disciples.”

Jesus goes up the mountain and spends the night in prayer, his mission is born of God’s will. “When morning came, He called his disciples”; in the sight of all, He chooses twelve whom He calls “apostles.” The chosen ones are not perfect; among them there are fishermen, a publican, a zealot, even one who will betray him.

The call to be his apostles is clearly to be at the service of all, without ambiguity, concealment and secrecy. We know that the Church is made up of men and women who are frail but called and sent by the Lord. God does not call the best, but those who, with their limitations, open themselves to his grace and mission with freedom, honesty, transparency, and mercy.  Jesus does not close himself off with his disciples but He incorporates them into the mission of serving the people in outreach, in communion, participation, and with a preferential option for the most needy.