In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus turns his twelve disciples into apostles. On this Feast of the Twelve Apostles, Fr. Gregory addresses three questions about the apostles.

First, he asks, “Why did Jesus turn his disciples into apostles?” Today's Gospel reading answers this question, saying, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them.” Jesus says that the people are like sheep without a shepherd, weary and scattered. This is the reason why he transformed his disciples into apostles — to become Shepherds for the people as Jesus did in the incarnation.

Second, Fr. Gregory asks the question, “What is an apostle?” The word “apostle” comes from a Greek word meaning “to send forth” or “dispatch.” The word carries with a sense of authority, in this case showing that the apostles were sent with full power to act in Jesus’ name. They are entrusted with Jesus’ work — teaching, preaching, healing, and even forgiving sins.

Finally, Fr. Gregory addresses what this means to us today. He explains that, before the apostles died, they chose successors and transmitted their apostolic authority through the laying on of hands. This transmission of authority has continued to the present day. In the church, we have bishops and priests who have been ordained through this laying on of hands which traces back to Jesus. Through apostolic succession, we are not sheep without a shepherd. We are gathered and cared for in the community of the church, the body of Christ.