NOTES for Mar 3:13-15

The Lord, descending to earth in His self-emptying, limits Himself in His actions to human possibilities. There is simply not enough of Him for everyone; He is not able to heal everyone who wants healing, or to tell about the Kingdom of God to everyone who is ready to hear His good news. Therefore He calls disciples to Himself for help - He will send them to preach the Gospel, heal diseases, and cast out evil spirits. He Himself chooses them for this ministry and gives them new names, as His servants and envoys. Later, the Twelve will become the foundation for His Church.

It is essential for us that Christ's disciples are not merely adherents of a new teaching, participants in certain spiritual practices, or keepers of particular mysteries and rituals, but messengers (Greek: apostles) of their Teacher, called to carry out His ministry - with Him and for Him. There is enough suffering and injustice in the world for us to fulfill our mission: to make the world a little better, a little more open to God's love, and to bring a particle of His presence. This is exactly what makes us true disciples of Christ.