Jesus prayed all night before announcing the selection of the apostles. Although He may have prayed to know which disciples to select, I believe He prayed because He already knew His Father's selection and was understandably disconcerted. Considering the manifest weaknesses of the apostles, we can see why Jesus prayed all night. He knew they would not understand Him and His plan (e.g. Jn 14:22ff). He knew that these apostles would abandon Him on the cross (Jn 16:32). Jesus also knew that He would love them nevertheless to the end (Jn 13:1). He knew that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on them so that their selfishness would be replaced with faithfulness, their cowardice with courage, and their confusion with zealous love. Jesus knew that by the Holy Spirit these apostles would be the foundation of His Church, which will last forever (Eph 2:20).

We may look at the people in our lives and wish they were more loving, holier, less selfish, more mature, or even nicer. However, like Jesus, we must pray and accept people where they are. "Accept one another, then, as Christ has accepted you, for the glory of God" (Rm 15:7). Then we must accept the Holy Spirit. Our hope is the Holy Spirit loving and working in and through us.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 24, 2000

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 27, 2000