Between the spoken word and the written word, it is obvious which has a more lasting effect and impression.
If the written word is that of encouragement and affirmation, then it would be a joy and a pleasure to read it over and over again.
But if the written word is that of a rebuke and a reprimand, then those words certainly stab at the heart and cause turmoil in the mind.
In St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians in the 1st reading, he used strong and harsh words like "how dare one of your members ..." and "how can you be fit ..." and "you should be ashamed ..."
Such words are surely repulsive to read or even hear, but it was the necessary laxative that will purge out the corruption within the community.
As St. Paul put it so bluntly: But you are doing the wronging and the cheating, and to your own brothers.
The Corinthians have deviated far from that occasion in today's gospel passage when Jesus picked His twelve apostles and sent them forth to preach the Good News and to heal the sick and to drive out evil spirits.
Yet, the gospel also mentioned that among the twelve men who were chosen, one of them would become a traitor.
The name of Judas Iscariot entered into history, and will continue into history, as that one who was the traitor and betrayed Jesus.
But the names of the rest of the apostles will continue into history as men who continued preaching the Good News and laid down their lives in witness to Jesus.
May our names, and what we do and say, be remembered by others as the ones who brought Good News that gave encouragement and affirmation.