ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A

[cappie]

Twelve is one of those numbers to which people have for centuries attributed special significance. We give a special name for twelve – a dozen. It is a very significant number in the Bible, used around 187 times. Think about the twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament, Jacob’s twelve sons, the twelve tribes of Israel, twelve governors of Israel appointed by Solomon, and Revelation’s tree of life producing twelve fruits.

And, of course, the twelve disciples become apostles.

When Jesus picked out his twelve, he obviously did not demand a substantial set of qualifications. He didn’t seem to care whether they had unusual spiritual insight or proven ability. He didn’t seek the best and brightest but the ordinary. He selected a group of mostly untested commoners, some of whom seemed failures by modern worldly standards. One was young and inexperienced. Some were unexceptional fishermen. Many grew up in the rocky upland region of Galilee. One was a fanatical Jewish Nationalist. Several argued among themselves about who was the greatest disciple. Matthew was a despised tax collector. Peter denied even knowing Jesus. And then there was Judas – the betrayer.

It is hard to avoid concluding that Jesus wanted, for his dozen, people who were not special. He picked twelve ordinary people with no particular qualifications for transforming the world. Still, he trusted them to spread the kingdom of God. He sent them out to do the very work he had been doing and for them to continue after he was gone.

Perhaps Jesus knew better than to invite experienced leaders or exceptional examples. He needed down-to-earth, vulnerable, and ordinary people – a kind of dozen who were representative of the general population and understood their pain and fears. Furthermore, who else would have had the courage or naivete – or the foolishness – to join such a band of brothers on such a mission?

The important lesson for today is that we Christians of the 21st century are the current “dozen” for Jesus. Of course, the dangers we face are seldom as dramatic as those faced by Jesus’ apostles. Still, remaining faithful in following Jesus remains a formidable task. But there is hope because we bear significant resemblance to the commonplace apostles.

In most average-sized congregations, carrying out this work begins with groups of lay members who may not believe they have qualifications, like Jesus’ first dozen. But like the apostles, they can rise to the occasion to meet the needs of people, whatever they may be. Our ordinariness is not a hindrance unless we choose to make it so.

Who among Jesus’ dozen was really suited to carry out God’s work – and who among us is qualified to proclaim the Gospel to an unbelieving world and share God’s love in action among those around us? Who, in any generation, is qualified to heal a broken world in Jesus’ name? And yet, we can find the courage and the wherewithal to accept the command to follow Jesus into ministry for this generation.

  Throughout Christian history, the dozen apostles have been replaced by a never-ending series of other dozens who continued to carry out the instructions of Jesus to go out among the people as his agents of love. Every one of us is empowered to do so, not because of our abilities or readiness, but because of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus saw in the dozens a potential those men could not see in themselves.   God’s work requires the very experiences we have had at work, or at school, or raising a family, or doing whatever is normal for us – all of which we can use to help others. God needs today’s “dozen” to utilize a great variety of gifts and skills and experiences to carry out a task – the continuing business of proclaiming the good news to those who do not know God and for carrying out the imperatives of the Gospel – loving our neighbours as ourselves, bringing about justice and peace, providing for those in need.

Jesus delighted in taking ordinary, everyday people – those who did not seem to possess great qualifications or credentials – and calling them to become his disciples. He does the same for us. And the Holy Spirit makes available to us all we need to be successful as we remain faithful to Jesus and his mission. He sends us out into the world proclaiming a word of salvation to a dying world, helping heal a broken people – being Jesus’ dozen for this generation.