We all have that experience of someone trying to talk to us but we are distracted by our thoughts or our actions and so it only barely registers. More often than not, the only thing that catches our attention in a situation like that is when someone calls our name. The simple use of our name is enough to demand a response, which can be a number of different things, such as, “Did you say something?” or “Are you talking to me?”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus summons the twelve apostles and sends them out on mission, proclaiming that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These apostles weren’t just any random followers – they were known by Jesus. He called them by name and asked great things of them. It’s also significant that their names are given to us in Scripture. We are an apostolic Church, after all. It’s important for us to know our roots, the beginnings of our Church.
At first, Jesus called these twelve men to cure diseases and drive out demons and proclaim the Good News. After his Death and Resurrection, He asked them to continue the mission but with a new dimension – to break bread in His name, to celebrate the Eucharist. And so our Church spread to the ends of the earth.
Jesus calls us by name, too. He gives us the same mission that He gave the twelve apostles. He demands great things of us. And He knows us better than we know ourselves.
At our Baptisms, the first question that is asked of our parents is, “What name do you give your child?” The second question follows, “What do you ask of God’s Church?” One of the common responses is “faith.” It is this moment of our reception into the Catholic Church that we are given the mission of our faith, the same mission that we share with the apostles, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20)
Here are a few questions to ponder in prayer: Have you heard Jesus call your name? How have you responded in the past? What can we do differently to fully embrace our mission?
Todos hemos tenido esa experiencia cuando alguien quiere hablar con nosotros, pero estamos tan distraídos por nuestros pensamientos o nuestras acciones, que con las ajustas escuchamos. La mayoría de las veces, lo único que llama nuestra atención en esas situación es cuando alguien nos llama por nuestro nombre. El simple uso de nuestro nombre es suficiente para exigir una respuesta, que puede ser algo como “¿Dijiste algo?” o “¿Me estás hablando?”
En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús convoca a los doce apóstoles y los envía a la misión, proclamando que “el Reino de los cielos se ha acercado”. Estos apóstoles no eran simples seguidores al azar, eran conocidos por Jesús. Los llamó por su nombre y les pidió grandes cosas. También es significativo que se nos den sus nombres en las Escrituras. Después de todo, somos una Iglesia apostólica. Es importante que conozcamos nuestras raíces, los inicios de nuestra Iglesia.
Al principio, Jesús llamó a estos doce hombres para curar enfermedades y expulsar demonios y proclamar la Buena Nueva. Después de su Muerte y Resurrección, les pidió continuar la misión pero con una nueva dimensión: partir el pan en Su nombre, celebrar la Eucaristía, y así nuestra Iglesia se extendió hasta los confines de la tierra.
Jesús también nos llama por nuestro nombre. Nos da la misma misión que le dio a los doce apóstoles. Nos exige grandes cosas y nos conoce mejor que nosotros mismos.
En el bautizo, la primera cosa que preguntan a nuestros padres es: “¿Qué nombre le dan a su hijo?” La segunda es: “¿Qué le piden a la Iglesia de Dios?” Una de las respuestas comunes es “la fe”. Es en este momento de ser recibidos en la Iglesia Católica se nos da la misión de nuestra fe, la misma misión que compartimos con los apóstoles: “Id, pues, y haced discípulos a todas las naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo, enseñándoles a guardar todo lo que os he mandado”. (Mt 28, 19-20)
Aquí hay algunas preguntas para reflexionar en oración: ¿Has escuchado a Jesús decir tu nombre? ¿Cómo has respondido en el pasado? ¿Qué podemos hacer diferente para abrazar plenamente nuestra misión?
Erin is a Cleveland native and graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is passionate about the Lord Jesus, all things college sports and telling stories and she is blessed enough to get paid for all three of her passions as a full-time youth minister and a freelance sports writer.
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J.M. Pallas has had a lifelong love of Scriptures. When she is not busy with her vocation as a wife and mother to her “1 Samuel 1” son, or her vocation as a public health educator, you may find her at her parish women’s bible study, affectionately known as “The Bible Chicks.”
Dakota lives in Denver, CO with her husband, Ralph, and their two sons, Alfie & Theophilus. She is the Dean of Enrollment Management for Bishop Machebeuf High School where her husband also teaches. You can find Dakota at the zoo or a brewery with her family or with her nose in a book at home. For more of Dakota’s writing check out 
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 
Arthur Richardson is married to his wonderful wife, Gabby Richardson. Most of his work experience is in ministry. He was a retreat missionary in Wisconsin for two years and a youth minister for three years. He is now the Web Project Manager here at Diocesan, and loves it!
Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, is the author of the newly released title
Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at 
Leslie Sholly is a Catholic, Southern wife and mother of five, living in her hometown, Knoxville, Tennessee. She graduated from Georgetown University with an English major and Theology minor. She blogs at 
Deacon Dan Schneider is a retired general manager of industrial distributors. He and his wife Vicki have been married for over 50 years. They are the parents of eight children and thirty grandchildren. He has a degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2002. He has a passion for working with engaged and married couples and his main ministry has been preparing couples for marriage.
Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his two grandchildren, including the 3-year-old who teaches him what the colors of Father’s chasubles mean. He has served on a Catholic School board, a pastoral council and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, Adult Faith Formation Committee member and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and four grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is 
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