＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ephesians 2:19-22

 Now you are no longer strangers or guests,

But fellow citizens of the holy people: you are of the household of God. You are the house   whose foundations are the apostles and proph­­­ets, and whose cornerstone is Christ Jesus.   In him the whole structure is joined together and rises to be a holy temple in the Lord.  In him you too are being built to become the spiritual sanctuary of God.

 

Ps 19:2-3, 4-5

Their message goes out through all the earth.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊    

Luke 6:12-16

At this time, Jesus went out into the hills to pray, spending the whole night in prayer with God.   When day came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them whom he called apostles:   Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John; Philip and Bartho­lo­mew;   Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alpheus and Simon called the Zealot;  Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would be the traitor.

 

  Gospel Reflection：

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus prays before chose his twelve apostles. It is a decision that will mark His future endeavors. It is too important to be taken lightly. This is why He prays.

When we are making decisions, especially those that will have tremendous impact on our lives, we need to be serious about it. It’s not easy if we feel lonely, lost at the enormity of the decision, or unable to make up our minds, it is at this particular moment when we need recourse to God.

Prayer gives a flavor to our life and a sense of belonging that carries us nearer to God. Assured that we are not alone embarking on the new adventure of life, we walk with sure and steady steps knowing that we are not alone in this enterprise.