Readings
I - Eph. 2: 19-22
II - Lk. 6: 12-16
Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (Feast)
YOU ARE GOD’S CHOICE
Jesus went into the hills and prayed the whole night before selecting his team of the twelve from among many that followed him. His choice of selection at the outset might seem to be absurd. Such a great task and the passionate dream of Jesus, the Kingdom of God, be delegated to a group composed of the fisher folk, the tax collector, the zealot, the illiterate, literate, the reasonable, the unreasonable, the impetuous and the cowards? They were of less or no caliber to be disciples of the then trending Master and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. But Jesus chose them, educated, empowered and sent them among a pack of wolves (Mt. 10:16) with the assurance of his presence with them, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt. 28:20). This is the style of Jesus, the Rabbi par excellence.
These disciples on account of their mission, the preaching of the Good News, Jesus Christ, endured sorrow, torture, persecution, suffering and death, but in perfect peace and joy. Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, the apostles of Jesus who belonged to the band of the twelve. They preached the Gospel in Persia. They were martyred there on account of their proclamation of the Good News, Jesus Christ. Simon was sawn in half and Jude was crucified and impaled with javelins.
We are privileged to have been chosen for Christ through our Baptism. May the feast of the saints help us to examine about our dedication and contribution to the mission of Christ. Do we stand up for Christ and his teachings, counting not the cost; or yield ourselves in self-preservation for a glimmering worldly honour, glory, pride, pomp, recognition, acceptance, popularity, riches, wealth and success? Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the courage to be your witnesses”
