“‎Those who aren't following Jesus aren't his followers. It's that simple. Followers follow…….. To follow Jesus means to follow Jesus into a society."

“Jesus of Nazareth always comes asking disciples to follow him--not merely "accept him," not merely "believe in him," not merely "worship him," but to follow him: one either follows Christ, or one does not. There is no compartmentalization of the faith, no realm, no sphere, no business, no politic in which the lordship of Christ will be excluded. We either make him Lord of all lords, or we deny him as Lord of any.” ― Lee Camp, Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World

Gospel Text: (MK 3:13-19)

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted

and they came to him.

He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,

that they might be with him

and he might send them forth to preach

and to have authority to drive out demons:

He appointed the Twelve:

Simon, whom he named Peter;

James, son of Zebedee,

and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,

that is, sons of thunder;

Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,

Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;

Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,

and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

We’ve all seen children who “don’t hear” when their parents call to them.  A summons from the next room to come to dinner isn’t always heard by a child absorbed in a game.  A teenage boy (who often has perfectly normal hearing) sometimes becomes suddenly deaf when his Mom interrupts his watching TV to have him clean his room or put away his clothes.

Today’s gospel tells us about Jesus calling his apostles.  “He summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.”  There are two sides to this call: Jesus summoned; they came to him.  He calls us, but we have to respond to him.  If we ignore that call from him, we can't have the relationship Jesus wants with us so much.

But what is it that keeps us from sometimes “hearing” that call from Jesus? Has my life become so filled with work that I am not aware? Am I so worried about events or honors that I ignore Jesus? Do I worry more about my own reputation than living the gospel life?

Today we can be alert….. We can pay attention!

Can we hear his call?  Can we feel his love?  How is our life different today because we are his followers?