A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus said to the disciples, “The harvest is bountiful, but the laborers are few.  Beg the overseer of the harvest to send laborers out to bring in the crops.”

Jesus summoned the Twelve, and gave them authority to expel unclean spirits and heal sickness and diseases of all kinds.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: the first were Simon, nicknamed Peter — that is, “Rock” — and his brother Andrew; then James, ben-Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew, the tax collector; James, ben-Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

These twelve Jesus sent out after giving them the following instructions:

“Don’t visit Gentile regions, and don’t enter a Samaritan town.  Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The reign of heaven has drawn near.’

“Heal those who are sick, raise the dead, cure leprosy, expel demons.  You received freely – now freely give.”

The Good News as spoken through Matthew.