Among the Ordinary

~~~ Saint Peter Claver ~~~

~~~ 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 ~~~ Psalm 149 ~~~ Luke 6:12-19 ~~~

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.

Jesus separated himself from the disciples
 and the crowds of people coming to be healed.
He went away in the darkness of night.
He went away into the silence of the night.
He went away to the stillness of the mountain.
Jesus prays alone to the Father for guidance.
He was about to make a big announcement...
naming his chosen apostles.
Apostle...one sent out, a missionary sent to preach the word of God.
He named twelve ordinary men as his closest companions.

This definition permits us to include many others
under the title of 'apostle' including Saint Peter Claver.
He spent much of his priesthood ministering
 to the large population of salves.
He served them and catechized them as often as he was allowed.
He called himself "the slave of the slaves."

After spending all night in prayer Jesus chooses his 

twelve apostles from among his disciples.
Then together they come down...
...he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground.

They came down together to level ground.
They were joining the people.
They were with the people. Jesus did not set himself apart.
He made himself accessible. 

A large number of people came from all of the neighboring towns.
Jesus is teaching his new apostles his life of compassion.
He could have gone back to the village to rest and sleep,
but instead he comes to the people who were waiting for him.
They wanted to see him and hear his holy words.
But most importantly they wanted to touch him...
they wanted to be touched by him.

Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him
because power came forth from him and healed them all.

When you imagine such a scene how can you not
be in awe and wonder at the person of Jesus?
His entire ministry was one of self sacrifice, love, and compassion.

We may not be able to physically touch Jesus today,
but that should not stop us from believing
that his power is just as real today as it was two thousand years ago.

Jesus chose twelve apostles in hopes that we
would also want to join their ranks.

The Lord takes delight in his people.

The Lord takes delight in you right now today.
Do you want to be one of his chosen?
Do you want to be one of his 'apostles'?
You must be willing to preach the word of God.
As Saint Francis of Assisi says,
use words if necessary.

The power that came forth from Jesus was the combined
power he shared in with the Father. 

They are still willing to send down this power to us.
God invites us to work together with him.

Be Blessed with the assurance
 that God takes delight in the ordinary person;
that would include you.

Don't let him down.
~~~Peace~~~