Sunday Reading

FIFTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST SEASON
Calling of the Apostles
Philippians 3:7-14
(But) whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus). Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 10:1-7
Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: 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 Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

The 12 are identified by career, by relation, by political party, and by deeds. Yet, Jesus wishes to identify them by a differnt standard. The 12 get their new identity as disciples and as apostles. As disciples they recieve the love and teachings of Jesus and as apostles they share the love and teachings of Jesus. The 12 are given authority even over unclean spirits. How often do we who are given power and authority, give something authority over us we give authority to our passions, our politics, our career, or some other identity. Rather we should take our identity as disciples and apostles as recievers of God’s love and sharers of God’s love. Paul tells us that everything else, everything of this world is rubbish if we give it authority over us or take our identity from it. Our identity as disciples and apostles must come first.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Lord,
you are the Entrance for those who seek you
and the safe harbor of your stewards,
you give joy to those who call upon you
and rest to the weary.
Grant us to find mercy in your presence
on the great Day of your coming.
May we be separated from the goats on your left
and be joined with the sheep on your right,
and give you glory and praise,
now and forever.
Amen.