A Homily on Mark 3:13–19: Be With Him (23-1-26)

A moving homily on presence and discipleship in the light of Mark 3:13–19.

(23-1-26)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

Recently, a nurse shared an incident that still echoes in her heart. While caring for patients at night, an elderly mother gently called her and asked her to stay with her. The nurse stood beside the bed, holding her hand. After some time, she needed to leave, but the old mother whispered, “A little more time, please.” Again and again, the same request came, not demanding, only pleading. Around two in the morning, the nurse finally left. Even then, the old mother looked at her and repeated the same words, “Just a little more time.” The woman was the mother of seven children and came from a very rich family. Yet at her deathbed, no one was there. The following day, the old mother died. The nurse wept and said, “The greatest desire of a person who is dying may be this, not to be alone. ‘A little more time.’ Those words will never leave me.”

This deeply moving incident opens our hearts to the Gospel of today. In Mark 3:13–19, Jesus goes up the mountain and calls those whom he wanted, and they came to him. The evangelist clearly tells us the purpose of this call. Jesus appointed twelve to be with him and to be sent out to preach (Mk 3:14). The first purpose is not preaching, not power, not success, but simply to be with him. Presence comes before mission.

This call to be with is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Moses stayed with God on the mountain before he could lead the people. Elijah learned to recognise God not in storm or fire, but in a gentle presence. God always forms his servants through closeness before entrusting them with responsibility. The twelve apostles remind us of the twelve tribes of Israel. God is gathering his people again, not by force or command, but through relationship.

Yet this Gospel also carries a quiet pain. The same Jesus who once said “be with me” on the mountain repeated the same request in Gethsemane. In the most painful hour of his life, Jesus said to his disciples, “Remain here, and keep awake” (Mk 14:34). This was his final request to them, not to fight, not to defend him, but only to stay with him, however, they failed. The one who had called them to be with him now tasted abandonment in silence.

The nurse’s experience helps us understand this moment more deeply. At the end of life, what matters most is not wealth, achievement, or even family name, but presence. In many families today, people live under the same roof yet remain alone. Meals are shared in silence, hearts are busy, and time is always scarce. In religious life too, community can exist without communion, and ministry can continue without real intimacy with the Lord and with one another. The Gospel gently corrects us. Before doing, before serving, before being sent, we are asked to remain.

Saint Teresa of Avila understood this truth profoundly. She taught that prayer is nothing more than spending time with the one who loves us. Jesus forms his disciples in the same way. He knows their weakness. He knows one will betray, another will deny, and all will flee. Yet he still calls them to be with him (Mk 3:13). We need to understand that presence becomes the soil where mercy grows.

Only after being with Jesus, the disciples are sent out. When we skip this step, service becomes tiring and mission becomes empty. When parents spend time with their children, values are passed on quietly and naturally, and when priests and religious stay with Christ, their ministry carries life. The dying woman’s words, “a little more time,” are not only human words. They are also the words of Jesus; Stay with me, do not leave me alone. When we learn to stay with Christ, we slowly learn to stay with one another. Only then are we truly ready to be sent.

Lord Jesus, teach us to stay with you. Amen.

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