The appointed Gospel reading for today is Mark 3:7-19a. Here, we read of the selection of the twelve apostles. There is a verse which drew my attention this morning. It is a verse which exposes the human tendency to envy.
“And (Jesus) went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.”
Great multitudes are following Jesus. The implication is that not all are called up on the mountain. Of those who are called up on the mountain, twelve are singled out. What of the others called to the top of the mountain but not selected? What of the multitude who remained, faithfully waiting, at the bottom of the hill?
Envy creeps into our lives when we find ourselves so close we can see it all taking place, but left out.
Did some come down the mountain and stop following Jesus because he didn’t pick them? Did some come down the mountain and experience doubt – wondering if there was something Jesus saw in them which made them unfit or unworthy?
The GALSM retreat was focused on the seven mortal sins – envy is one of these. It became easier for me to understand the severe danger of envy as I read this text and identified with those who were not among the twelve.
Mark 3 reports no such reaction among those who went up the mountain nor among those who were left at the base of the hill. I guess it must have been Jesus’ presence, his words, his way of explaining what was happening which allowed them to understand that though they were not singled out in this way, they were highly valued and loved. Must have been something that Jesus was able to do, which anyone else would have found difficult to do.
Perhaps if we focus on Jesus, feelings of envy will not creep into our lives either.
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