RISK | Word of the Day | January 4, 2025

Summary

This video reflects on Jesus’ bold choice to call ordinary people, like fishermen and tax collectors, as His disciples, highlighting the risk involved in His decisions. It emphasizes that following Jesus is not about personal perfection but about willingness to answer His call. The latter part of the script invites viewers to participate in a spiritual pilgrimage to Eastern Europe, visiting key religious sites to deepen their faith and reflect on God's mercy. The message underscores that faith involves risk, but Jesus remains faithful in His call to each believer.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus takes risks in choosing His disciples, trusting them despite their weaknesses and imperfections.
• 😀 The Gospel according to Mark highlights Jesus' selection of the twelve apostles, choosing simple individuals like fishermen and tax collectors.
• 😀 Jesus' choice to call unlikely people demonstrates His faith in them and His willingness to take risks for the establishment of God's kingdom.
• 😀 Even though the apostles were not educated or influential, Jesus saw potential in them to spread His message.
• 😀 The concept of risk is central: Jesus' selection of the apostles represents a significant personal and divine risk.
• 😀 Jesus' choices in His apostles challenge conventional thinking; rather than choosing the rich or educated, He called those considered 'nobodies' in society.
• 😀 Jesus' decisions remind us that God’s wisdom often differs from human understanding; He prioritizes love and willingness over qualifications.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on their own experience of God’s calling, feeling that being called to the priesthood is a risk taken by both God and the individual.
• 😀 True love and sacrifice, as exemplified by Jesus, often involve taking risks without concern for personal gain or loss.
• 😀 The central message is that following Jesus is not about personal perfection, but about willingness and responding to His call.
• 😀 The invitation to the pilgrimage in Eastern Europe is a call to deepen one's faith, explore new cultures, and experience the spiritual richness of historic sites.

Q & A

Why did Jesus take the risk of choosing simple, uneducated individuals as His disciples?

Jesus chose simple, uneducated individuals, such as fishermen and tax collectors, as His disciples to demonstrate that God's kingdom is not about worldly qualifications but about His trust in people and their willingness to follow Him. It was a significant risk because these individuals were not considered influential or powerful in society.

What does the concept of 'risk' refer to in the context of Jesus choosing His disciples?

In this context, 'risk' refers to Jesus' decision to place His trust in individuals who were considered unqualified by worldly standards. He invested in them without knowing exactly how they would respond, but He trusted that His calling would lead them to fulfill His mission.

What lesson does the speaker draw from Jesus' choice of His disciples?

The speaker highlights that Jesus' choice of disciples teaches us that it is not about our perfection or credentials but about our willingness to follow Him. Jesus sees beyond our weaknesses and imperfections, emphasizing the importance of trust and faith in God's calling.

What is meant by the statement 'It is not about them, it is about Jesus' in relation to the disciples?

This statement emphasizes that the success and purpose of Jesus' mission do not depend on the disciples themselves but on Jesus. His calling is not about the qualifications of the individuals but about His divine plan and faithfulness to His promises.

How does the speaker connect the concept of risk to their own vocation?

The speaker reflects on their own experience of being called to the priesthood, likening it to the risk Jesus took in choosing His disciples. The speaker recognizes that just as Jesus took a risk in choosing imperfect individuals, God took a risk in calling them to serve in the priesthood, trusting that they would fulfill His purpose.

How does Jesus' calling relate to the concept of 'willingness' as mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker stresses that what Jesus seeks is not perfection but willingness. Jesus calls people to follow Him, not because they are perfect but because they are willing to respond to His call and trust in His plan, regardless of their status or flaws.

Why does the speaker emphasize that it is not about us, but about Jesus?

The speaker emphasizes that our journey of faith is not centered on ourselves but on Jesus. Our role is to be willing and faithful followers, acknowledging that it is His purpose, not our own, that guides our lives and ministries.

What role does faithfulness play in the relationship between Jesus and His disciples?

Faithfulness is central in the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. The disciples' faithfulness to Jesus is reflected in His own unwavering faithfulness to them, fulfilling His promises and leading them in His mission.

How does the speaker interpret the phrase 'it is not about me, it is about Jesus' in relation to their personal calling?

The speaker interprets this phrase to mean that their personal calling to the priesthood is not about their own abilities or achievements but about Jesus' calling and purpose for them. The speaker recognizes that their role is to serve Jesus, who is the center of their mission.

What invitation does the speaker extend at the end of the script, and what is its purpose?

At the end of the script, the speaker invites the audience to join a pilgrimage in Eastern Europe as part of the Jubilee of Hope. The purpose is to deepen one’s faith, experience spiritual growth, and connect with the rich history and culture of the places that will be visited, such as Poland, Czech Republic, and Bosnia.