RBWords

     The commission Jesus gives to the disciples on this occasion is very different from the one he would give them after his resurrection.  There is no mention of teaching and baptizing here.  Only healing is mentioned.  The commission is followed by a list of the names of the Twelve.  Perhaps we should note that Judas Iscariot is on the list and presumably receives the same commission as the others!  It was customary for rabbis/teachers/healers of Jesus' time to gather a group of disciples/clients about them.  This "cadre" would form the foundation of the later Christian community, and we profess it as a mark of our community when we say the Creed:  "apostolic church."

     Although we revere the apostles, we must base our understanding of them on their life and times to begin with.  We know that they were fishermen, tax collectors, and not particularly well known.  They had a hard time understanding Jesus' teachings and had to grow in their faith.  It took a special visitation of the Holy Spirit to move them from their fear after Jesus' death, and their amazement and doubts of his resurrection  They stand as heroes (minus Judas) in our church.  We invoke their help in our own confusion and doubts.  The same Holy Spirit that came upon them comes to us as well.  We receive their commission at baptism.  When we inevitably fail at times, we can look to their example and move on to success!   AMEN