Friday of Week 2 Year 1

When we are involved in a church ministry, we may sometimes wonder why a particular person is chosen to be the leader. Sometimes the leader was voted in, sometimes the leader could have taken it upon himself or herself to be the leader, sometimes the leader was appointed by the parish priest, but whatever the circumstances is, the persons in leadership are supposed to be leaders for a purpose and not for show or for their personal gratification.

The 12 appointed by Jesus in today's Gospel too had a purpose and perhaps we could learn how Jesus appointed them. From the Gospel, we read that:

1. Jesus summoned those he wanted.
• He did not call just anybody, but those He wanted.
2. They came to him and he appointed twelve.
• Notice that they came to Jesus and not Jesus going looking for them. This shows that there is a primary authority to be approached and that primary authority is Jesus.
• Notice also that Jesus appointed them, and not they voting who would be chosen, or taking the appointment upon themselves.
3. They were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils.
• These are the purposes of their appointment: to be his companions, to be sent out to preach, and to cast out devils.

Let us examine our involvement in church today and how we have been appointing leaders. Have we been appointing leaders because we like them, or because they are popular, or because we just want to get the task done and over with? Remember that leaders are there not to lord it over others, but to serve others for the greater glory of God.