Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, App. (28th October, 2020) 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 Reading: 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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