“Jesus didn’t choose disciples who were of like mind. Within the Twelve there is Simon a zealot for the Law and Matthew, one deemed to be a public sinner. They would have to learn to live together because the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed sought to embrace all of Israel.”

“It's never 'a them and a us,' it is 'a we' whom God has called to serve”

“He chose them not only because of their differences but he chose them despite their differences. He chose them not only because of who they were but he chose them because of whom he could turn them into and he brought them together to pass across the same Good News.”

“Jesus grants the Apostles authority and credibility to engage in his mission. Authority that does not come from domination, from command and control but from compassion”

“Being offered these readings alongside one another challenges us to recognize that knowing we are beloved comes first before any efforts of mission, ministry or service...our attempts to care can devolve into attempts to control and this is a recipe for fatigue, resentment and conflict”

“when Jesus who could have done all this on his own chose instead to commission a group that would constantly get bigger over the years, that itself is a reflection of the Trinitarian life and love of the divine, right. In God self God isn't alone. So if we image God...then we're not called to be isolationists, individualists.”

“God is willing to...do whatever it takes to protect each and every member of his chosen people. He will give us all that we need and all that he has to save us. In fact, that's what God did.”