Readings: Colossians 2:6-15, Ps. 145:1-2,8-11, Luke 6:12-19
“These days, he went to the mountain to pray, and he continued praying to God all night. And when it was day, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve (Luke 6:12-13).
When was the last time you made a crucial decision? Are you about to make a decision right now? Do you have many choices before you, leaving you pretty confused? In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus teaches us an important lesson: Consultation.
Luke tells us that Jesus spent an entire night in prayer. Jesus consulted with God all night long. It was only after this consultation that Jesus made His selection; first, He chose twelve persons – a number symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel; secondly, all twelve persons were men; thirdly, none of these men was perfect – each of them had character flaws here and there, some will still not believe after many miracles, one would deny Him, and one would eventually betray Him.
Dear friends, the best consultation is what we do on our knees. Prayer is the best consultation, so long as we try to listen to God in prayer. Prayer is not a monologue. We do not simply talk to God; we also listen to God.
For Jesus to have chosen these persons after an all-night consultation shows that God’s ways are not ours. In truth, even the “foolishness” of God is wiser than the highest human wisdom.
St. Paul continues in this same light in our first reading of today when he noted: “See to it that no one makes prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe (such as horoscopes, palm reading, future telling etc.) and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). In other words, the best consultation is prayer.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help us always to make the right decisions. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 23 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Colossians 2:6-15, Ps. 145:1-2,8-11, Luke 6:12-19)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu