Gospel Reading: Mt 10:1-7
JESUS summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 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; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
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The choice of Twelve disciples done by Jesus from among many followers is significant. Israel as a nation was made of twelve tribes. These tribes known to be God’s chosen people have miserably failed themselves and God. Jesus will show that the new Israel is now present in him, and he will restore it as God’s new people in choosing Twelve disciples. He empowers them with the authority to teach, preach, heal, and drive away evil spirits. He entrusts them with the proclamation of the Kingdom of heaven.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
