Today’s Gospel is one of those very short readings where it helps to read a few verses before and after to better understand the context and help us learn more about what the passage offers. In the verses before (Mark 13: 7-12) and in the verse after (Mark 13:20) Jesus has a large crowd around Him, but in the verses we hear today, He takes His twelve closest friends away from the crowds to prepare them to succeed Him in ministry.
This made me think of certain times growing up when I would find myself in a new environment or when I started college. My mama would ask me if I’d made any friends and often I would say no because I’m shy and sometimes awkward, and engaging with new people is difficult for me. During those moments when I felt overwhelmed by icebreakers, get to know you’s, and far too many introductions, my mama would always remind me “if you meet one person who is a true friend, that is enough”.
I left my college years with one true friend, who is now my husband, and I am content. I think this is a lesson that Jesus understands too. Despite growing fame and popularity, he chooses twelve close friends. He knew that this small group of men would support each other, learn together, and continue the mission He had started. This is such a good reminder that having many friends is not that same as having a true friend. The hallmark of godly friendship, even with one friend, is that you grow both together and separate, succeed in your own ways, and support each other’s journey to heaven. And that is more than enough.
El Evangelio de hoy es una de esas lecturas breves en las que conviene leer algunos versículos antes y después para comprender mejor el contexto y aprender mejor lo que ofrece el pasaje. En los versículos anteriores (Marcos 13,7-12) y el versículo posterior (Marcos 13,20), Jesús está rodeado de una gran multitud, pero en los versículos que escuchamos hoy, aleja a sus doce amigos más cercanos de la multitud para prepararlos para sucederlo en el ministerio.
Esto me hizo pensar en ciertas épocas de mi juventud, cuando me encontraba en un nuevo entorno o cuando empecé la universidad. Mi mamá me preguntaba si había hecho amigos y a menudo le decía que no porque soy tímida y a veces torpe, y me cuesta relacionarme con personas nuevas. En esos momentos, cuando me sentía abrumada por las actividades para romper el hielo, conocerse, y tantas presentaciones, mi madre siempre me recordaba: “Con tan solo una persona que sea un verdadero amigo, basta”.
Dejé la universidad con un solo amigo de verdad, que ahora es mi esposo, y estoy contenta. Creo que esta es una lección que Jesús también comprende. A pesar de su creciente fama y popularidad, eligió a doce amigos cercanos. Sabía que este pequeño grupo de hombres se apoyaría mutuamente, aprendería juntos y continuaría la misión que Él había comenzado. Este es un excelente recordatorio de que tener muchos amigos no es lo mismo que tener un amigo de verdad. El signo distintivo de una amistad piadosa, incluso con un solo amigo, es que crecen juntos y por separado, triunfan a su manera y se apoyan mutuamente en su camino al cielo. Y eso es más que suficiente.
Lily is a Michigan native and cradle Catholic who has spent most of her life exploring her own reasons to embrace her faith fully. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she discovered the beauty of her personal relationship with Christ and the Church. After college, she worked in Montessori Education for three years and recently transitioned to nannying. She was recently married and spends most of her time reading, and enjoying her dog and family!
Feature Image Credit: Elle Hughes, pexels.com/photo/two-women-sitting-on-white-bench-1549280/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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