The gospel for Wednesday of the 14th week in ordinary time is taken from Matthew 10:7. Jesus summoned his 12 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 Thaddaeus, Simon the Cannonian and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. Jesus sent out these 12 after instructing them. 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.

The Old Testament is a long story of God working with a group of people, the Jews, and wanted so much for them to understand the fullness of the kingdom of God that was to come through the work of Jesus. And what we see in this passage is Jesus giving authority to his disciples to go and to preach and teach his message. And it’s fascinating in Matthew’s Gospel that he doesn’t send his disciples to the Gentiles, but to the house of Israel. And he’s hoping, maybe in a last ditch effort, hoping that he can convert the Jews to understanding that Jesus is the fullness of God the Father. Take a few moments to reflect upon these truths and then I will close with a prayer. The closing prayer.

Father, you have never truly left the Israelite people. You continue to long for them to understand fully who you are. And when you send your disciples first to them, we see clearly a sign in you that you long for things. Even though it may take centuries for them to change. Ultimately when the kingdom comes, they will change. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.