Readings
I - 1Sam. 24: 3-21
II - Mk. 3: 13-19
St. Agnes, Virgin, Martyr (Memorial)
REMAIN IN JESUS
Out of so many that followed, Jesus specifically chose the twelve whom he also called ‘Apostles’ for two purposes: one, to be with him and two, to be sent out on his mission of proclaiming and healing. He chose whomever he wanted and the composition consisted of fishermen, the zealots, tax collector, traitor and people belonging to ordinary walk of life. These twelve but Judas, took the Gospel far and wide across the world, even at the cost of their lives for the spirit and the power of the Lord was with them.
We are chosen to be the apostles of Jesus through our Baptism. We might be weak and fragile but we are God’s choice. The spirit and the power of the Lord will rest upon us and lead us to be daring witnesses of the Gospel if only we trust him and remain with him in faith and prayer for Jesus says, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (Jh. 15: 5).
Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Agnes, who died as a martyr at the age of twelve. She desired very much to belong to Jesus and Jesus alone and therefore she refused to marry the son of the Governor and therefore she was killed. May the saint intercede for us to live up to our Christian vocation as credible follower so Christ, our Lord. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to abide in you”.
