Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons....
A recent TV ad depicts the dilemma of an entrepreneur whose startup company is imperiled when her number one employee resigns to go off in search of himself.
That may be the epitaph of the 21st century as billions of people search for their misplaced identities. Finding themselves on a dynamic planet, they have only ideologies to cope with artificial intelligence and climate change. All we need is an invasion from outer space to complete the package!
During these early weeks of the new year, several liturgical signposts point to an answer. In today's gospel Jesus, "summoned those whom he wanted." He appointed and named them apostles. Twenty centuries later, we know who they are, as they knew who they were; and we call them by that name.
Asked, "Who are you?" Saint John the Baptist spoke clearly, "I am not the Messiah!" and "I am not Elijah." When the Pharisees persisted, he said, "I am the voice of one crying in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord!" He knew what he was not, what he was, and his purpose.
Jesus, as he set out for Jerusalem and Calvary, would ask his disciples, "Who do men say I am?" Despite the stories and rumors of who he might be, he was satisfied only with Peter's reply, "You are the Christ." But then he went on to redefine their notion of what that title means.
A name which signifies identity comes with a purpose; it might be called a mission. Many names in the scriptures come with an explanation; like Jesus, "for he shall save his people from their sins." Names should not be something cute to call a child. When the baptizing deacon or priest asks the infant's parents, "What name do you give this child?" he expects the name to mean something. Traditionally, it was a saint's name as the parents invoke a patron saint of their family, nation, or ethnic group. It might be the name of a relative or friend whom they wish to honor.
Personally, as a priest, I hope the chosen name is not that of a currently popular entertainer. Those names are as shallow as the people they represent; and God gives no one responsibility for an infant for their entertainment.
Without the Lord's understanding of Christ as the suffering servant of Isaiah's prophecies, Christians have no clue of what Christian means. As his disciples we take up the cross of servant (or slave) with the calls to be (penitent) with him, and witnesses to the truth. We are sent not to be served, but to serve.
We receive identity and purpose as gifts from God; we do not create them out of current politics, entertainment, or some fantastic notions of who or what we wish to be.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.