The Twelve who lead

Paul addresses the Ephesians in the text from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today with good news of the community in which they are members through their acceptance of the invitation to intimacy with Christ Jesus. This is a community including the apostles and prophets which becomes the temple and dwelling place of God. This is a mystical community with transrational characteristics. It is the message witnessed by the psalmist of the voice and power of God which covers all space and time with joy. In the Gospel of Luke, the events before the selection of the Apostles by Jesus are described. The new positions which match the Twelve Tribes of Israel will be filled with a diverse and different set of persons. Prayer with the Father revealed the name of those who would hold these positions. The persons thus chosen would not be those picked by a rational selection process for human leadership. The thoughts and actions of the Divine are far from the usual human ideas.