Jesus appoints the Twelve Apostles in today’s gospel (Mark 3:13-19).  He does this that “he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”  Having just witnessed the pounding Jesus is taking from the Pharisees (the religious leaders), but also His immense popularity with the crowds (the regular folk), and His power to heal and exorcise, one wonders what these twelve men were thinking.  What were they getting themselves into?  They might have not thought much of the Pharisees, but they surely recognized their power and influence.  On the other hand, Jesus words and deeds led Him to be a sort of “rock star” of the day.  But surely the apostles had seen these kind rise and fall.  Regardless of any fears or concerns, they hear the call and follow.  Tradition says that all suffered greatly and eleven of the final twelve died martyr’s deaths.  Are we willing to put our names on the list?  To take on the joys and sufferings of any active apostle knowing that our reward might only come in heaven?  Will we follow Jesus and proclaim Him whatever the cost simply because He calls us to do so?