In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. (Lk 6:12-16)
Mountains were considered to be the places where God resided. Many temples were built on top of the mountains. “Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem. Jesus said to her, Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” Though Jesus went up the mountain to pray yet he was aware that God should be worshipped in truth and Spirit. Yes, Jesus spent time in prayer.
Prayer forms the foundation of his activities. After prayer he went about choosing his disciples. The disciples were the ones who continued his mission. He had chosen twelve to signify the twelve tribes of Israel. Gospels themselves did not say much about these disciples. Some of the disciples were only names in the Gospels. But certainly they had done their part in fulfilling the mission of Jesus.
He named them apostles. The name also suggests their mission. These twelve are sent. They do not go on their own. They cannot do anything for themselves or by themselves. Whatever they do must be done in the name of the one who sends them.
