The Feast of Saints Simon and Jude

Eph. 2:19-22, Lk. 6:12-19. The various New Testament lists of the Twelve, the tenth and eleventh places are occupied by Simon the Zealot also known as Simon the Canaanean and by Judas also called Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. Judas corresponds to the Hebrew name “Judah” and Jude in English. Some ancient Christian writers believed that Simon and Jude went together as missionaries to Persia and were martyred there. This explains why they are usually put together. Some modern writers have used “Zealot” as the basis for conjectures linking him and through him Jesus and His whole group, with the Zealot movement devoted to assassination and violent insurrection.

Today's first reading gives us an identity: we are God’s holy people and members of His household. It is because we are built on the foundation laid by the Apostles. They have handed on to us a spiritual heritage of unshakable faith so that we may experience God of love and be united to Him. This spiritual heritage is the tool that we use to expand the Kingdom of God as the Apostles built steadily on Jesus, the cornerstone of the foundation. Simon and Jude built diligently on the foundation of love laid by Jesus, as we are the Apostles of Jesus of our times. Today's Gospel emphasises that Jesus prayed before all the key moments of His life, Jesus spent the whole night in prayer to God. We will often find ourselves praying at important moments in our own lives. At such moments, we recognise our need, guidance and strength from above. Our prayer at such moments does not necessarily mean that everything will work out perfectly for us. Yet, we can be sure that our prayerful surrender to the Lord will always create space for Him to work, even when things do not work out as we had hoped.

May the Lord help us to create a community where justice and peace may flourish and be with us lest we labour in vain! Amen!! Be safe and have a glorious day!!!