GOSPEL: MT 10:1-7
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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 Gospel begins chapter ten of Matthew’s narrative, commonly known as Matthew’s “missionary discourse.” Thus, for the next several days will be proclaimed Jesus’ important “missionary instructions.”
Jesus chooses his disciples to follow him and to share in his mission. Discipleship is initiated by Jesus; we do not choose; we only respond to God’s initiative. “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain” (Jn 15:16). We are invited to respond to Jesus’ call with personal faith.
The individual names of the disciples are given. This means that the call to discipleship is personal and individual, not anonymous. All the disciples are unique in their person and background. For us, this means that our unique person – with both our gifts and our limitations – is to be put at the service of the Gospel. How deep is my appreciation of Jesus’ call to me? How can I put my unique person at the service of spreading Jesus’ message of love?
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2020,” 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.
