In today's Gospel reading, we see how Jesus empowers the Twelve Apostles to continue His mission. 'Apostle' means one who is sent and in the early Church, it meant 'missionary'.

The mission of the Twelve was limited to Israel because they were strictly forbidden to go among the Gentiles and Samaritans. This was true for Jesus Himself who did not extend His mission beyond the Jewish territory (Mt. 15:24). Therefore this instruction not to enter the pagan territory was a dictum of the tradition of Jesus' time. However, later they were sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They were to preach the Kingdom of heaven as Jesus did. The other part of the missionary activity is stated in the verses that follow after Mt 10:7. These instructions reflect the radical poverty and complete detachment of the missionaries wherever they went. This is the essence of 'discipleship' and missionary spirit.

The lost sheep of Israel were the marginalized people of Jesus' time. Hence the preferential option for the poor is an indispensable part of the mission of the Church. Today we are also challenged to share the Good News with those who are marginalized in our society. How have we responded to this mission of the Church?