Bartholomew[1]; Thomas and Matthew[2] the publican; James, son of Alpheus[3], and Thaddeus; Simon called the Zealot[4], and Judas Iscariot[5].
Having chosen His apostles, Jesus commanded them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel [6], and announce to them that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He also gave them power to heal[7] the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out devils. He told them not to take anything with them on their journey, because the labourer is worthy of his hire.
Jesus spoke: “When you come into a house, say: ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if that house be worthy[8], your peace shall come upon it; but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, going forth out of that house or city, shake off the dust[9] from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than for that city.
“Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves[10]. Be ye, therefore, wise[11] as serpents and harmless[12] as doves. Beware
- ↑ Bartholomew. This was the surname of Nathanael, whom Philip brought to Jesus.
- ↑ Matthew. He had been a publican or tax-gatherer. He was sitting at the receipt of custom, when Jesus said to him: “Follow Me”, and immediately he arose and joined the other disciples.
- ↑ Son of Alpheus. Or St. James the Less, so called to distinguish him from James the brother of John.
- ↑ Zealot. So called because, before he became our Lord's disciple, he was distinguished for his zealous adherence to all the precepts of the Old Testament, as, later on, was Saul, afterwards St. Paul.
- ↑ Iscariot. An inhabitant of Cariot, a little town of the tribe of Juda. He was the only one of the apostles who came from Judaea, all the others being Galileans.
- ↑ The house of Israel ^ To the Israelites who were wandering about like sheep without a true shepherd. It was only after our Lord’s Resurrection, when He had completed the work of Redemption, that the apostles were commanded to preach to the Gentiles.
- ↑ Power to heal. Our Lord not only gave them power to work miracles, but commanded them to use the power.
- ↑ Be worthy, i. e. if the inhabitants of the house are willing to believe in the Gospel of peace.
- ↑ The dust. As a sign that you will hold no communion with them, but consider them as shut out from the kingdom of heaven. &
- ↑ Wolves. Even as wolves lie in wait and attack sheep, so will men persecute you.
- ↑ Wise. Cautious, and on the look-out for danger, so as to avoid it when necessary.
- ↑ Harmless. Inoffensive and gentle.
