Wednesday, July 10, 2002
14th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Gospel: Mt 10:1-7
Jesus
called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over the unclean
spirits to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter,
and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James,
the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot,
the man who would betray him.
Jesus sent these twelve on mission with the instruction: "Do not
visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go instead to
the lost sheep of the people of Israel.
Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near."
Commentary
Integrated into the Jewish nation were twelve tribes. Jesus calls twelve apostles: he wants them to understand that they are the foundation of a new people of God. They, in turn, will call others. In the Church everyone can do "apostolic work," but none can make themselves apostles: one has to be called to this responsibility. Among the Twelve some were fishermen, one a tax collector, Matthew; a teacher of The Law, Bartholomew. Different personalities, different characters, different family and work experience, different religious and political views. Each of them from their diversity is called to build up the kingdom of God on earth. They will be the witnesses of Jesus among people, so he teaches them a way of living and a common life that will serve as a pattern for the Church.