Our Gospel today falls at the tail end of a long series of miracles – 10 to be exact – performed by Jesus (chapters 8 – 9). Some examples include the healing of a woman who suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years, the raising of a synagogue official’s daughter from the dead, and the opening the eyes of two blind men.
After Jesus’ miracle tour, Matthew tells us that the crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” In other words, through these miracles Matthew wants us to see that the kingdom of God is breaking into history.
Unfortunately, not everyone is impressed. While the Pharisees acknowledge that Jesus has supernatural power, they attribute His miracles to demons or the kingdom of the evil one rather than the kingdom of God. They accuse Jesus, then, of working with Satan.
How does Jesus respond? He does not begin arguing with them but rather continues doing what He has been doing. Jesus goes from village to village teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and curing every disease and illness.
Along with continuing to do good in the face of resistance, today we hear that Jesus establishes new leadership. There was a crisis of leadership because current leaders failed to recognize God working in their midst. Consequently, Jesus calls twelve apostles – the new shepherds of the people to do the very things that He has been doing.
Interestingly, Jesus brings together quite a motley crew. Peter, the leader of the Apostles, is impulsive and fearful. He thinks with his mouth. One moment he is walking on water in faith and at another moment he sinks in doubt. James and John are nicknamed “sons of thunder” summarizing their temperaments.
Thomas is known as “doubting Thomas” because of his refusal to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead until he saw and touched Christ’s physical wounds. Matthew, a tax collector, was considered a traitor to his own people. Simon the Zealot was zealous for his country, the opposite party from Matthew the tax collector. And, of course, Judas betrayed our Lord for thirty pieces of silver.
In short, the apostles represent a wide range of backgrounds and temperaments! And yet, Jesus prays, “Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am, they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (Jn. 17:24). If you had the opportunity to call this motley crew, would you say they are a gift to you? J
Think about a person or a group of people with whom you struggle. Can you say that they are a gift? With our fallen nature, we tend to judge, ignore, or gossip about people we struggle with or who are different. I might suggest including them in your prayers and thanking God for the good in them, a good that you may not see. Pray that they may be more deeply converted to Christ and His infinite love!
If Jesus can keep such a diverse group together, He certainly can call and unite a great variety of people in the Church together. Our Lord is the ultimate peacemaker. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt. 5:9). May God bless those of you who imitate Christ by building bridges of peace!
Finally, notice that Jesus sent out His Apostles only after they had spent time with Him in prayer, listened to His teaching, and been close to Him in His healings. The structure, then, is quality time with Christ before being sent out to share the Good News of Christ with others. If you are going to do what Jesus did, you must first spend quality time with Him in prayer.
Regardless of your personality or the mistakes you have made in the past, be of good cheer that our Lord delights in working through you in bringing the kingdom of heaven to those around you!
~St. Thérèse, pray for us!