"JESUS called HIS Twelve disciples to HIM, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.
These are the names of the Twelve apostles: 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 Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray HIM.
JESUS sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: 'Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.
Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near...'" - Matthew 10:1-7
(Till then, JESUS had spoken only in synagogues around Capernaum. Now HE attracts fame and followers and begins to draw multitudes. In that moment HE establishes the group of the Twelve. HE needs them to prepare meetings, to spread HIS doctrine, to multiply the miraculous signs effected among the sick.
At the same time, JESUS is planning HIS Church and wants to give it a head: this will be the group of the apostles. They will be the witnesses of JESUS among people, so HE teaches them a way of living a common life that will serve as a pattern for the Church.
Apostles mean "sent" and "mission" also means "being sent." The FATHER has sent HIS Son to earth, and the Son, in turn, sends HIS apostles. The FATHER sends messengers of HIS word, but HE also sends HIS Spirit to touch the hearts and minds of those who listen. Through the Spirit they recognize the word of GOD in the poor preaching of these messengers who have received no great instruction. The Spirit will give signs: healings and astounding graces supporting the witness of the missionaries.)
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