Evening of Ordination/property

Excerpts

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Evening of Ordination

On hearing these startling words, the apostles drew apart by themselves for a while, but they soon returned, and Peter said:

• "Master, we would go on with you. Not one of us would turn back. We are fully prepared to pay the extra price. We will drink the cup. We would be apostles, not merely disciples."

When Jesus heard this, he said:

• "Be willing, then, to take up your responsibilities and follow me. Do your good deeds in secret. When you give alms, let not the left hand know what the right hand does. When you pray, go apart by yourselves and use not vain repetitions and meaningless phrases. Always remember that the Father knows what you need even before you ask him. And be not given to fasting with a sad countenance to be seen by men. As my chosen apostles, now set apart for the service of the kingdom, lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth. But by your unselfish service lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasures are, there will your hearts be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If, therefore, your eye is generous, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is selfish, the whole body will be filled with darkness. If the very light that is in you is turned to darkness, how great is that darkness!"

Thomas asked Jesus if they should "continue having everything in common." Jesus:

• "Yes, my brethren, I would that we should live together as one understanding family. You are intrusted with a great work, and I crave your undivided service. You know that it has been well said, `no man can serve two masters.' You cannot sincerely worship God and at the same time wholeheartedly serve mammon. Having now enlisted unreservedly in the work of the kingdom be not anxious for your lives. Much less be concerned with what you shall eat or what you shall drink, or for your bodies, what clothing you shall wear. Already have you learned that willing hands and earnest hearts shall not go hungry. And now, when you prepare to devote all of your energies to the work of the kingdom, be assured that the Father will not be unmindful of your needs. Seek first the kingdom of God, and when you have found entrance thereto, all things needful shall be added to you. Be not, therefore, unduly anxious for the morrow. Sufficient for the day is the trouble thereof."

When Jesus saw they were disposed to stay up all night to ask questions, he said to them:

• "My brethren, you are earthen vessels. It is best for you to go to your rest so as to be ready for the morrow's work.”

But sleep had departed from their eyes. Peter ventured to request of his Master that:

• "I have just a little private talk with you. Not that I would have secrets from my brethren, but I have a troubled spirit, and if, perchance, I should deserve a rebuke from my Master, I could the better endure it alone with you."

And Jesus said:

• "Come with me, Peter"

Leading the way into the house. When Peter returned from the presence of his Master much cheered and greatly encouraged, James decided to go in to talk with Jesus. So on through the early hours of the morning, the other apostles went in, one by one.