Peter, James, Andrew, John, Bartholomew, and all the others. The names are so familiar. There were crowds of disciples (followers), but only twelve apostles (those who are sent). Our Gospel today focuses on that action of Jesus which set apart a small group of those nameless disciples, and gave them a special role.
He called them by name. He gave them authority. He invited them to share in his mission of bringing salvation to the world. All of this was done by Jesus, at his initiative, in accord with the way God works. He always speaks first.
But this significant action on the part of Jesus should not blind us to the other essential component of these men becoming Apostles. He did not coerce. He did not manipulate. He held no hostage. He simply called.
For their part, the Twelve said yes. Their gift was their willingness to say yes to his call, to go where they would be sent, to do what they had been called to do. They abandoned their nets, and their tax-collection tables and all else to say yes to Jesus.
When he calls us, which he does by name, may we share in the same gift of willingness to say yes to the Lord, day in and day out, seeking to do his will in our lives.
