"To be" and "to do"

“…He appointed twelve; they were to be His companions and to be sent out to proclaim the message,with power to drive out devils.” (Mk 3:14-15)

“He appointed twelve.” And a very simple program for them, including only three elements: “to be His companions, to proclaim the message and to drive out devils”. One “to be” and two “to do”s. How often we concentrate on tasks, on those “to do”, forgetting the most important element – to be, “to be His companions.” This sequence is not accidental. The ancient Romans used to say: “Agere sequitur ease” (action follows being). To be His companions is the foundation for the other activity. As close we are to Him as His “companions” – so fruitful is our proclaiming of the message and our fight against the devil.

“It was not you who chose me, says the Lord, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” (Communion Antiphon)