A reading from the gospel of Matthew 10:1-7

1 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.
2 The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.
5 Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Reflection: Called to be Sent

Let us call to mind the twelve apostles of Jesus. Their backgrounds are not impressive. They cannot even qualify to become a village chief. Yet we look up to Jesus as a superstar leader. So what did He find in them as to call them to form His inner circle and afterwards to be His delegates to the whole world? We can say that it is their willingness to be transformed. After all, they left everything for the Lord.

Of course, it is not actually all of them. One went on to betray Him. There will always be a rotten one in a basket filled with apples or a black sheep in the family. This is another lesson in human resource management. A candidate may look very appealing at first or on paper and then after being hired, he becomes the headache of the community.

Did Jesus commit a mistake in choosing Judas Iscariot? Probably not because Judas Iscariot was instrumental in the fulfillment of the mission of Christ. Yet Judas Iscariot could have used his freedom and sense of humility to admit his mistake, to repent and be reconciled with Jesus. Instead, he chose to go on his way that lead to his destruction.

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Unqualified as the apostles may be, Jesus empowered them. He trained them and gave them the authority to do what He wanted them to do. He gave them the specific task of proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Today, the apostles are no more. We only have their successors. Are you willing to be one of these successors?

The Kingdom of God is at hand. Who will proclaim it?

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In this gospel reading, Jesus calls His twelve disciples and gives them a remarkable mission: to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. This passage is a powerful reminder of the authority and purpose Jesus grants to His followers.

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness” (Matthew 10:1). This verse illustrates that Jesus empowers those who follow Him. He does not send His disciples out empty-handed but equips them with the authority to overcome evil and bring healing. As believers today, we too are given spiritual authority. Our challenges may not always be physical ailments, but we face spiritual battles, emotional wounds, and societal issues. Jesus’ empowerment is a reminder that we are not alone; we have divine strength to face our struggles and bring about positive change.

The naming of the twelve apostles in verses 2-4, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, highlights that Jesus calls ordinary people. These men were not scholars or religious elites; they were fishermen, tax collectors, and common individuals. This inclusiveness is a powerful reminder that God can use anyone for His purposes. No matter our background or current situation, we are all called to be His hands and feet in the world.

Jesus’ instructions to His disciples in verses 5-7 — “Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'” — emphasize the urgency and focus of their mission. They were to go first to the lost sheep of Israel, bringing the good news of the kingdom. Today, this directive encourages us to reach out to those around us who are lost, hurting, and in need of hope. The message of the kingdom is one of love, redemption, and transformation. By living out this message in our daily lives, we can impact our communities and the world.

This particular passage of the gospel of Saint Matthew is a call to action. It reminds us of the power and authority Jesus bestows upon us, the inclusiveness of His call, and the importance of our mission. As we embrace this call, let us move forward with faith, courage, and compassion, knowing that we are equipped and empowered to make a difference. The kingdom of heaven is near, and we are its messengers.