Kakve osobe izbire Božje? [POJAŠNJENJE EVANGELIJA]

In a recent reflection on the Gospel passage from Matthew's account of Jesus calling his disciples, Father Jure Sojč, a priest from the Maribor Archdiocese, explored the idea that God chooses individuals not based on their perfection, but on their willingness to receive His grace. The passage describes how Jesus, moved with compassion for the crowds who were "like sheep without a shepherd," called together his twelve disciples, gave them authority over unclean spirits, and sent them forth to preach the Kingdom of Heaven. According to Sojč, this process, first being called, then receiving, and finally giving, is essential to understanding the role of the apostles and, by extension, all believers. The Gospel reading for the eleventh Sunday during the liturgical year includes passages from the Book of Maccabees, Psalm 100, and Romans, emphasizing themes of divine election and salvation through Christ’s death. In his commentary, Sojč highlighted how the disciples were not chosen because they were already perfect or powerful, but because they were open to transformation. He likened the apostles to windows, useful only when light passes through them. This metaphor underscores the belief that human beings are not the source of divine illumination but rather vessels through which God's light can shine. Sojč emphasized that the sequence of events described in the Gospel is crucial. First comes the call, followed by proximity to Jesus, and only after that does the mission begin. He explained that before one can give anything to the world, they must first receive from God. Just as the heart must take in blood before it can pump life into the body, so too must the soul first accept Christ before it can share Him with others. This principle applies universally, not just to the apostles but to every believer. The priest warned against the dangers faced by the Church throughout history, the risk of becoming an institution focused on activity and organization rather than genuine faith. He noted that while it is easy to organize meetings about why people no longer pray, it is far more difficult to truly believe in the message of the Gospel. Jesus did not send the disciples immediately upon their recruitment. Instead, he first called them by name, allowing them time to become students before they became messengers. Only after they had been transformed could they speak in His name. Sojč pointed out that the word "apostle" means "one who is sent." This implies that the apostles did not have their own message to deliver. Rather, they were channels through which God's will was expressed. Their role was not to assert themselves but to allow the divine power to work through them. They healed the sick, cast out demons, and brought peace, not because of their own strength, but because of the authority given to them by Jesus. He further elaborated that God does not choose individuals based on their completeness or heroism. The apostles were ordinary men, often fearful and filled with doubt. Peter denied Jesus, Thomas doubted, yet these very men were entrusted with spreading the Good News. This demonstrates that the effectiveness of the Gospel is not dependent on human perfection. If it were, Christianity would have long since died out. The Church continues to exist precisely because God works through flawed instruments. This truth extends to each individual believer. While some may not heal the sick with a touch, they can still bring healing through love. A person might not save someone from despair with words alone, but hope itself can change lives. Today, Christ uses imperfect people to carry out His mission. Father Sojč's reflections were shared through a video explanation intended for children, highlighting the importance of making complex theological concepts accessible to younger audiences. His insights aim to remind both young and old that the core of Christian faith lies not in human achievement, but in the transformative power of God's grace working through those willing to receive it.