Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
Saints Simon and Jude, App. (28th October, 2019) on the Gospel and
the Feast
Eph 2:19-22;
Ps 18:2-5. (R. v.5);
Lk 6:12-19.
According to legend, Saints Simon and Jude preached
the Gospel in Mesopotamia and Persia. Simon was nicknamed the zealot because of
his zeal for the Jewish law which he practised before his call. He became the
Bishop of Jerusalem after preaching the Gospel in Samaria. He suffered martyrdom,
being sawn in half at Suanir, Persia.
Jude Thaddeus was son of Cleophas, the brother of
Saint James the Lesser and relative of Jesus. Jude was the one who asked Jesus
at the Last Supper why He would not manifest Himself to the whole world after
His resurrection. He was known for healing and exorcising pagan idols. He was
beaten to death with a club, and then beheaded post-mortem.
Topic: First step first.
Today’s gospel consists of two parts; the choosing of the
twelve apostles (Lk 6:12-16), and
Jesus’ teaching and healing (Lk 6:17-19).
This homily focuses on the first part.
Jesus spent the night in prayer to God on the mountain. He
afterwards called His disciples at daybreak and chose twelve of them, and
called them apostles.
We know that Jesus is God. Hence, He told us, “I and the
Father are one” (Jn 10:30). Yet, He
spent the whole night in prayer to God in today’s gospel.
He also told us, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the
vinedresser” (Jn 15:1). We are His
branches. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, cf. Jn 15:5. The vinedresser makes the fruitful branches to bear even
more, cf. Jn 15:2.
Apostles Simon and Jude we celebrate today were appointed to
be with Jesus, and to be sent out to preach, cf. Mk 3:14. We are a chosen race, cf. 1Pt 2:9. But we must be connected to Jesus through prayer. At every
point, we must spend time with God in prayer because He is the owner of
everything. And whatever is contrary to His will be in vain, cf. Ps 127:1. We must remember always, “Unless
the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD
watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Ps 127:1).
Bible Readings: Eph 2:11-22.
Thought for today: We need God
always.
Let us pray: God, help us to give suitable time to
all that is necessary – Amen.
Saints Simon and Jude – Amen.
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