– In Israel there were several calls from God for certain missions:
Gen 12:1-2 : He said to Abram: “Leave your country, your family and your father’s house and go to the land that I will show you”.
Ex 3,7-8 : I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their cries because of their oppressors.
Is 6,8-9 : The voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” “Here am I,” said I, “send me.”
Jr 1,4-10 : Before you were formed in the womb, I already knew you; before your birth, I had already consecrated you.
Ez 3,1-11 : “Son of man”, he told me, “eat the roll that is here, and then go and speak to the house of Israel”.
Amos 7:15 : The Lord took me from behind my flock and said to me: “Go and prophesy against my people Israel”.
– Jesus was called by the Father and promptly accepted his will:
Heb 10,5-9 : This is why, upon entering the world, Christ says: “Sacrifice or oblation you did not want, but you formed me a body”.
– He also called those he wanted to continue his mission:
Mt 4,18-19 : Walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon […] and Andrew […] were fishermen.
Mk 1,16-17 : Jesus said to them: “Follow me; I will make you fishers of men.”
Jn 1,35-51 : Seeing Jesus […] he said: “Behold the Lamb of God”. The two disciples heard him speak and followed Jesus.
– And he presented to them the conditions of complete availability to preach the Kingdom of God with words and examples:
Mt 10,5-33 : These are the Twelve that Jesus sent on mission.
Mt 16,24-25 : If anyone wants to come with me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.
Mk 10,1-12-16.35-45 : Crowds followed him again along the way and […] he began to teach them, as was his custom.
Mk 10,17-27 : Someone came running and […] begged him: “Good Master, what shall I do to obtain eternal life?”.
Lk 9,43-44.57-58 : As they were walking, a man said to him: “Lord, I will follow you wherever you go”.
Lc 18,18-30 : Sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.
– But all the baptized are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, according to his doctrine:
Mt 16:24 : If anyone wants to come with me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.
Acts 2:40 : With many other words he exhorted them, saying: “Save yourselves from this perverse generation!”
1Cor 1,26 : Behold, brethren, your chosen company: there are not many wise among you.
Eph 1 :4: And he chose us in him before the creation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless.
2Th 2:13-14 : For God chose you from the beginning to give you salvation through sanctification by the Spirit.
– Each one with his gift, through faith, with the Holy Spirit:
Rm 12,6-7 : We have different gifts, according to the grace conferred on us.
1Cor 12,4-13.28,30 : There are diversities of gifts, but one Spirit.
Eph 1:5.11 : In his love he predestined us to be adopted as his children by Jesus Christ.
Eph 4 :7 : But grace was given to each one of us, according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
1Th 1,4-5 : And he chose us in him before the creation of the world, that we should be holy.
2Tm 1,9 : God saved us and called us to holiness.
Heb 3:1 : Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of the calling that destined you for the inheritance of heaven.
