After the initial success of Jesus’ preaching mission he establishes a core group as an embodiment of the new Israel that his ministry inaugurates. Jesus appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth. Notice that the apostles have two roles: to “be with him” and to be available that Jesus might “send them forth.” Since at our baptism we are given an apostolic vocation we too share this dual identity. Pope Francis captures this apostolic identity in the phrase “missionary disciples.” We are called to be disciples, that is companions of Jesus forming the new community of God’s love. And we are called to be missionaries, those who spread the good news of Jesus.
