Gospel: Jesus Sends Out the Twelve to Proclaim the Kingdom of God

Today marks the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the Gospel proclamation will be read according to St Matthew (tap here for the complete Mass readings).

In today's Gospel, Jesus shares his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his disciples. The signs of the kingdom's presence consist of the work that Jesus has already been doing: the sick are cured, the lepers are cleansed, demons are driven out, and the dead are raised to life. The disciples are sent to continue doing the work that Jesus has begun. This is a moment of transition in St Matthew's Gospel. The focus has shifted from the ministry of Jesus to the work of the community that he has inaugurated. More than any other Gospel, St Matthew's Gospel elaborates on the work of the Church, which is to continue after Jesus' death and Resurrection.

The Gospel reports that Jesus commissions twelve disciples. Many scholars believe that the twelve disciples symbolizes the twelve tribes of Israel. It designates, therefore, the continuity between Israel and the Church.

St Matthew lists the names of the twelve disciples, as do St Mark and St Luke in their respective Gospels. St Matthew also uses the word apostle when referring to the Twelve. The word apostle means "the one who is sent." In this context, St Matthew is calling attention to the mission to the twelve disciples that they are being given. They are sent by Jesus to proclaim the kingdom of heaven in word and in deed.

As Jesus sent his disciples to continue his work and his mission, so too the Church is sent by Jesus. The Church is his continuing presence in the world. Every baptized member of the Church is sent by Jesus to contribute to this mission.

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The Gospel is sponsored by TAG Heuer.