Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 10

drink because he is a disciple - amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose hisreward."(CCC 858) Jesus is the Father's Emissary. From the beginning of his ministry,he "called to him those whom he desired;… And he appointed twelve, whom also henamed apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach" (Mk 3:13-14). Fromthen on, they would also be his "emissaries" (Greek apostoloi). In them, Christcontinues his own mission: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you" (Jn20:21; cf. 13:20; 17:18). The apostles' ministry is the continuation of his mission;Jesus said to the Twelve: "he who receives you receives me" (Mt 10:40; cf. Lk10:16). (CCC 850) The origin and purpose of mission. the Lord's missionary mandateis ultimately grounded in the eternal love of the Most Holy Trinity: "The Church onearth is by her nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, she has asher origin the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit" (AG 2). The ultimate purposeof mission is none other than to make men share in the communion between theFather and the Son in their Spirit of love (Cf. John Paul II, RMiss 23).Chapter 11(Mt 11, 1-6) Go and tell John what you hear and see[1] When Jesus finished giving these commands to his twelve disciples,he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns. [2] WhenJohn heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him[3] with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look foranother?" [4] Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hearand see: [5] the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed,the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good newsproclaimed to them. [6] And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."(CCC 548) The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. Theyinvite belief in him (cf. Jn 5:36; 10:25, 38). To those who turn to him in faith, hegrants what they ask (Cf. Mk 5:25-34; 10:52; etc.). So miracles strengthen faith in theOne who does his Father's works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God (Cf. Jn10:31-38). But his miracles can also be occasions for "offense" (Mt 11:6); they arenot intended to satisfy people's curiosity or desire for magic Despite his evidentmiracles some people reject Jesus; he is even accused of acting by the power ofdemons (Cf. Jn 11:47-48; Mk 3:22). (CCC 549) By freeing some individuals from theearthly evils of hunger, injustice, illness and death (Cf. Jn 6:5-15; Lk 19:8; Mt 11:5),Jesus performed messianic signs. Nevertheless he did not come to abolish all evilshere below (Cf. Lk 12:13-14; Jn 18:36), but to free men from the gravest slavery, sin,which thwarts them in their vocation as God's sons and causes all forms of humanbondage (Cf. Jn 8:34-36).(Mt 11, 7-15) John, more than a prophet[7] As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds aboutJohn, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?[8] Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing?Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. [9] Then why did you goout? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is