Key words and phrases: Jesus summoned. . . and gave; two by two; gave them authority; no food, no sack, no money

To the point: Jesus sends disciples forth with no baggage, no money, not even any food. Instead he provides them with the one essential Resource. He gives them his authority to preach repentance, to cast out demons, to cure the sick. He also gives them each other, for they are not sent out alone but in partnership "two by two."

The gift of his authority and the gift of one another is essentially the gift of Jesus himself. So gifted, disciples cannot fail.

Connecting the Gospel...

...to the first reading: Amos was taken away from shepherding his flock and sent by God to prophesy. The Twelve were called and sent forth by Jesus to continue his mission of salvation. Both Amos and the Twelve were sent out on the authority of divine commission. So are we.

...to our experience: We tend to live and work as if everything depends upon us. While we need to be realistic and practical about our role, we cannot lose sight of the One on whom we ultimately depend—Jesus—who sends us forth to continue his own saving mission.