WEDNESDAY- 14^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7: Go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.

I Reading: Hosea 10: 1-3. 7-8.12: It is time to go seeking the Lord.

The Messiah’s Call to His Disciples, 10:1-4

The disciples were called earlier to be “fishers of men” (Mt 4:18-22;9:9; Jn 1:35-51). Each one had been called in his own special way from his environment. Jesus was calling the disciples to go forth in the in the fulfilment of their first call. In a sense, we may say they were called twice (Mk 3:14; Jn 12:26).

1.     They received their commitment call. They were to receive formal training, learning how to become “fishers of men.”

2.     They received their commissioning call. They were to receive practical training, actually go out to “fish for men.”

There are several important facts given about their commissioning call.

1.     They were called “to Him.” (v.1): from among many followers

2.     They were given power and authority (v.1): for a great responsibility and specific task

3.     They were twelve in number (v.2): The Twelve represents the twelve tribes of Israel and the whole people of God in the word.

4.     They were made apostles (v.2): Jesus made a new creation, new Israel, new church, new people of God.

5.     They included three sets of brothers (v.2): Unity to work together as community life building up the kingdom of God and the Church of Christ.

6.     They were organized two by two for ministry (v.3): To encourage each other during the time of sufferings, hardship, persecutions, slanders temptations etc. and community life in the Church.

Thought: To become a follower of Jesus a person has to learn from Jesus to serve, he/she must be being with Jesus and ready to be sent out to preach the message of Jesus Christ and to establish the kingdom of God on earth.

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