Matthew 10:1-7

Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a

Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19

Matthew 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.’”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have blessed me by welcoming me into the Kingdom of Heaven. Never let me forget such an awesome gift. You have transformed the old creation into a new creation, and this will continue until the end of time. I am also blessed to share in this transformation of society.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Twelve: In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus announced that the Kingdom of Heaven was here and taught his followers how to live as part of it. In the following chapters (Matthew 8-10), Jesus continues to do things that show he is the King. He also chooses twelve royal officers to help him lead his growing kingdom (Bergsma, New Testament Basics for Catholics, 40). The appointment of the twelve refers back to Solomon, who, when he ruled over all Israel, appointed “twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household” (1 Kings 4:7). What “food” will the 12 Apostles provide for the household of God? They will nourish God’s people with the Bread of Life, through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and with the Word of Life through their teaching.

2. The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel: During his earthly life and public ministry, Jesus concentrated on finding and ministering to the people of Israel. He invited his twelve apostles to share in that ministry. They were not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans yet, but to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. “Their message is simple: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Mt 10:5-7). While on their preaching journey, they will live according to the Beatitudes: They will be poor, carrying nothing with them (vv. 8-10). They will be peacemakers, bringing peace to the homes they visit (v. 13). They will be pure of heart, as ‘innocent as doves’ (v. 16). And they will be thoroughly persecuted for the sake of Jesus (vv. 17-23). Jesus grants to them his very own authority, such that anyone who accepts the apostles will be as good as accepting Jesus himself: ‘He who receives you receives me’ (v. 40). To embrace the King’s officer is to embrace the King himself” (Bergsma, New Testament Basics for Catholics, 43).

3. The Sons of Israel: In the First Reading, we learn about the sons of Israel going to Egypt to procure rations during the famine. The ten sons of Jacob had sold their brother, Joseph, into slavery many years prior, and, in the First Reading, we see them kneel before Joseph without realizing that it was their brother. This event was a fulfillment of the dream Joseph had, the dream that angered his brothers so that they plotted to get rid of him. Joseph concealed his identity and wanted to teach his brothers a lesson. Many of the elements in the story look forward to the Resurrection of Jesus. Just as Joseph was sold to Gentiles for twenty pieces of silver by Judah and his eleven brothers, so also Jesus was sold to Gentiles for thirty pieces of silver by Judas and abandoned by eleven disciples. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, who did not recognize him at first, after he was exalted to the throne of Egypt. They didn’t recognize him after spending three days in prison. Similarly, Jesus was revealed to his disciples, who did not recognize him at first, after he was raised from the dead on the third day.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who seeks out your lost sheep, brings your lambs to restful waters, nourishes your flock with good pasture, and protects your flock from demonic wolves. Teach me to be a good shepherd.

Living the Word of God: Am I truly proclaiming the same Gospel as that of Jesus? How similar is my testimony to that of the Sermon on the Mount? Or is it different? What do I emphasize when I speak to others? Is my presentation of the Gospel fully aligned with that of Jesus, or am I just doing my own thing?