The Commissioning of the Twelve

Today's Reflections

The Commissioning of the Twelve 

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Mt 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. ²The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; ⁴Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

⁵Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. ⁶Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ”

Reflection:

Then he summoned his twelve disciples. How does Jesus choose the Twelve? They are not socially influential; they have no great educational background or social positions. They are just simple working people, ordinary, average men. But Jesus calls and chooses them.

As it turns out, Jesus takes risks on them. He does not formulate standards or requirements in choosing them. He sets aside their dark past and continues to hope for the best in them. He chooses them for work, that is, to continue what he has started. He calls them to labor in his vineyard.

Jesus will always take risks on us. He will continue to invest in us. He forgets our past and hopes for the best to come. Our falls and failures are not important to him. What matter are our intention and desire to stand up for him. Jesus believes that whoever we are or whatever we have, we can contribute to his mission, to his works.

Do we let Jesus use our time, talent, and treasure

for his cause and his purpose?

We have received many blessings, favors,

and graces from God.

Do we share them with our brothers and sisters?