Daily Gospel Reflection for July 11, 2018

Today's Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7 At first glance this Gospel reading appeared to be a simple list of the twelve apostles being sent out to do mission work for Jesus. I admit, I looked at this and wondered what kind of reflection I could possibly write. But Scripture always has more to reveal to us than we might sometimes think. This particular Gospel reading got me thinking about the difference between disciples and apostles. It is interesting that the Twelve are called disciples at first and then almost immediately Matthew refers to them as apostles. While I know the difference between disciples and apostles I thought it prudent to actually look up what the words mean. A disciple is one who is a student of another or a follower. An apostle, from the Greek apóstolos, is one who is sent out. It is at this moment in Matthew’s Gospel that the Twelve are called out from the larger group of disciples and “sent out” to be missionaries to their fellow Jews. They become apostles. This got me thinking, am I a disciple of Jesus or am I a missionary of His teaching? Or maybe it’s a bit of both? I would say that we all start out as disciples. Our parents, teachers, priests, and catechists teach us the faith from our earliest days and well into adulthood. Throughout our lives we will be given opportunities to be missionaries, whether that is in our own homes, communities, or churches, or out in the world somewhere far from our homes. And even when we are acting as missionaries, or apostles, we should still always be learning from Jesus, the Church, and our fellow man.

Ponder:

At this time in your life are you more a disciple of Jesus or an apostle (missionary)? To whom do you regularly bring the Good News as Jesus’ apostle?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, I pray that I will always remain open to your teachings so that I will be prepared to be your apostle when called. Amen. St. Benedict, pray for us.

Copyright 2018 Kerri Baunach Kerri Baunach lives in central Kentucky with her husband and three boys whom she homeschools with the help of a part-time, classical school. She is a Benedictine Oblate with the Archabbey of St. Meinrad in Indiana, an editor and writer with CatholicSistas.com, and chairs the vocations committee at her parish. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required