First reading Hebrews 8:6-13
The first covenant is already old
We have seen that Christ has been given a ministry of a far higher order, and to the same degree it is a better covenant of which he is the mediator, founded on better promises. If that first covenant had been without a fault, there would have been no need for a second one to replace it. And in fact God does find fault with them; he says:
See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks –
when I will establish a new covenant
with the House of Israel and the House of Judah,
but not a covenant like the one I made with their ancestors
on the day I took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
They abandoned that covenant of mine,
and so I on my side deserted them. It is the Lord who speaks.
No, this is the covenant I will make
with the House of Israel
when those days arrive – it is the Lord who speaks.
I will put my laws into their minds
and write them on their hearts.
Then I will be their God
and they shall be my people.
There will be no further need for neighbour to try to teach neighbour,
or brother to say to brother,
‘Learn to know the Lord.’
No, they will all know me,
the least no less than the greatest,
since I will forgive their iniquities
and never call their sins to mind.
By speaking of a new covenant, he implies that the first one is already old. Now anything old only gets more antiquated until in the end it disappears.
Responsorial Psalm 84(85):8,10-14
Mercy and faithfulness have met.
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
and give us your saving help.
His help is near for those who fear him
and his glory will dwell in our land.
Mercy and faithfulness have met.
Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.
Mercy and faithfulness have met.
The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps.
Mercy and faithfulness have met.
Gospel Mark 3:13-19
He appointed twelve to be his companions
Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
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Call and response
In today’s gospel, Jesus called those He wanted. Among those He chose was Judas Iscariot, the one who would eventually betray Him for thirty silver coins. Although Jesus chose Judas, in the end, Judas chose to walk away from Him. Today, Jesus calls and chooses us to be His disciples because He desires our companionship. His call is renewed each day, inspiring us to respond. However, He does not force us to answer, just as He did not compel Judas to make a choice for Him. Jesus invites us to respond freely to His call.
Jesus calls us to be His companions, His friends above all. He wants us to be with Him. From this friendship, He sends us out as His instruments to spread His love and make a difference in the lives of those around us. Let us take time to be with Jesus, our Master and Friend, before we are to go forth to collaborate with Him in His mission.
Reflective question:
Do I freely respond to Jesus’ call today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
