Memorial of Saint Benedict, abbot

Jesus 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 Jesus.

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.’“
Matthew 10:1-7

Prayer

Dear Father your son has chosen twelve men to go out into the world and proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Since that time we have had many who have answered and become disciples of your Son. More than anything we are grateful that Jesus sent these men out to find the lost sheep. As we reflect upon your Words and hear them in our hearts, then we too can say that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand within us. For we have have heard and acted upon your call. Dearest Father what a grace it is to know that you love us so much to send us not only your Son but many others to come and find us. May we in the world who seek but know not what we seek, find through your chosen ministers of grace the word that proclaims the "Kingdom of heaven is at hand," and rejoice when we have been found. May we all come to know and love your call of grace. Amen