30th Friday in Ordinary time, yr 2, Feast of St Simon and St Jude
October 28. 2022
Eph 2:19-22; Ps 19:2-5; Lk 6:12-16
Today we celebrate the feasts of Saint Simon and Saint Jude, two of the 12 disciples chosen by Jesus. Simon, also called the “Canaanite” or the “Zealot,” was one of the first disciples Jesus chose. He was called the Zealot because of his passion for Jewish law.
Jude, or Thaddeus as he was also called, was the brother of Saint James the lesser. Simon and Jude traveled together and probably preached in Egypt and Persia. Theologians generally believe they were martyred in Persia, but there is one story from the east that says they died peacefully in Edessa.
As one reflects on these two saints, it is important that we also reflect on what Jesus just did. He prayed all night, and then chose the twelve disciples. These twelve form the entire ministry that he would begin and who would lead the mission after he was gone from the earth. These men were not scholars, nor were they particularly good men. All had issues, but Jesus chose them anyway to carry out His mission. He could have chosen anyone from all the people that were following Him at this point, but He chose these twelve, and they did mighty things in His name.
In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul is reminding them that God chose the first twelve, and upon that foundation, God also calls us. Whether we like it or not, God has chosen us to continue to carry out His mission. We may not feel worthy, just like the original twelve, but with Jesus in our midst, and the Holy Spirit in us, we too, can accomplish great things. It is up to us now, to carry out this message through all the earth. Are you ready? The original disciples were not, but look what they accomplished.
Let the Holy Spirit enter into your heart, and let the work begin. “Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the end of the world, their message.” (Ps 19, v5).
Saint James Catholic Church 