Tag: the twelve

Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 10:1-7)

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.’”

Matthew relates the mission of the twelve disciples as Jesus instructs them. He gives them authority to drive out unclean spirits and to cure every disease and illness, instructing them not to go to pagan territory but to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Among the Twelve, named individually, Matthew names Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. To consider that Matthew had the same authority to heal and the same charge to proclaim the kingdom of heaven is to realize human brokenness and the need to stay close to Jesus, to his word, and to his Church.

Lord, just as you instructed the disciples, teach me today and every day how to be a disciple to do as you say. Give me the grace to know your will, hold it in my heart, and carry it out. I will forget you; help me remember to go where you ask me to go and make my hands yours. Guide me, show me where to go, let me do your work. “The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations,” the psalmist says, “he foils the designs of peoples. But the plan of the LORD stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations.” Let my will be yours; keep me from futility.

Stay by my side, God. Let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sees the crowds and has compassion for them because they are troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He says to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Jesus then sends out his twelve disciples, giving them authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons.

God, the sending out of the disciples reminds me of the divine authority your Son gave the them—power to cure illnesses, rebuke evil spirits, and even power over death itself. How can I possibly measure up to the Twelve? Yet, if I look at the encounters I experience in daily life with those closest to me, I have opportunities similar to those of his disciples. Within my family and among those I meet, I have the choice to cultivate illness or well being; I have the means of evoking evil or rebuking it; and I have the power to give life or take it away—all with the words that I allow to pass between my lips. God, help me have the same compassion Jesus had for the troubled and abandoned. Give me the grace to know how to be attentive to your word and bring them to you.

Lord, help me recognize today how to show compassion and be a good shepherd according to your will. Stay with me today as I strive to hear your voice.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.