Jun 12: Called to be Apostles

Icon of the Twelve Apostles

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 9:36--10:8

“Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness (NRSV, Mt 10:1).”

Father, the authority over unclean spirits and the power to awaken healing in others which, we read in Matthew, Jesus gave to his twelve disciples, the Word in fact gives to every human being who will accept it. All of us are offered the possibility to grow in your divine life at every moment. With that life comes great authority and power. It is faith accepted and lived out that ultimately heals and saves. The Word, now made flesh in our Lord Jesus, is the sole mediator of faith but he offers a share in that mediation to every human being, just as you, Father, through the Word, offer all of us a share in your life.

Father, an apostle is an ambassador to others. All of us are called to minister to one another. Help us, Lord, to fulfill that mission.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.