Reflection 2020-10-28 Wednesday 30th Week in Ordinary Time – St Simon and St Jude

Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 19; Luke 6:12-19

St Simon the Zealot

The Psalm today describes these two Apostles: there is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. We know that Simon is called the Zealot, which could imply he was one of those who fought against the Romans or had strong resentments against the Romans. Some believe Jude is the author of the letter that bears his name, but this is something that has not been resolved. But we know the Gospel identifies Jude as Jude of James and John 14:22 identifies him as Judas, not the Iscariot who asked Jesus why Jesus shows himself to them and not to the world. To which Jesus replies: 
If any one love me, he will keep my word. And my Father will love him and we will come to him and will make our abode with him.

The question of Jude had Jesus show us what it means to love him: to keep his word. When we do this, the Father will love that person and the Father and Jesus will dwell in that person who loves Jesus.

This has always been the teaching of the Church: God has created us to live with him. This is possible only when we obey Jesus. And even if little is known of them in Scripture, we know they brought this message to wherever they went. As an Apostle, Simon and Jude were chosen by Jesus to be his companions, who St Paul describes as the foundation of the household of God together with the prophets and Jesus is the cornerstone.

St Jude Thaddeus

The Gospel tells us many come to hear Jesus and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. People want to hear Jesus, they want to touch him. This happened after Jesus appointed the Twelve. This shows Jesus is the cornerstone and people want to hear him, they want to touch him. This is why the Gospel we preach must be Jesus Christ and nothing else. Many people hunger for God. They search for something and this can only be found in Jesus Christ. This should also be our attitude.

We do not come to church because of the priest. Neither do we come to church because of the way the priest celebrates the mass, nor because the choir is excellent, nor because of the community. We come to church because we want to hear him, we want to see him, we want to touch him. We come to church because we want Jesus. If my reason for coming to church is the people, the community, the priest or anything else, my foundation is not Jesus. My faith is founded on people and things and it will collapse, sooner or later.

Lord, let my desire be you alone. Let me know that the foundation of my faith is the Apostles with you as the cornerstone. Let my faith not be founded on anything else, but you.