WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY. PLEASE, PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY AND ASK THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO PRESENT YOUR INTENTIONS TO HER SON FOR REDRESS.
COLLECT: “O GOD, WHO BY THE BLESSED APOSTLES HAVE BROUGHT US TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR NAME, GRACIOUSLY GRANT, THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE, THAT THE CHURCH MAY CONSTANTLY GROW BY INCREASE OF THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN YOU. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Eph 2:19-22; Ps 18:2-5 and Lk 6:12-16.
Little is known about these two Apostles, whose names are always linked in the Gospel accounts. Simon came from Cana and was called “Zealot”. He was probably a member of the activist political party (“The Zealots”) who were against Roman occupation of Judea.
Tradition holds that Simon suffered martyrdom after preaching in Egypt and Persia. The Apostle Jude, called Thaddeus, was the 'son of James' Accordingly, he spoke with Jesus during the Last Supper. Tradition holds he preached the faith mainly in Palestine, but later he went to Persia and Armenia, and suffered martyrdom there. “If they persecute me, they will persecute you too; if they obey my teaching, they will obey yours too. But they will do all this to you because you are mine” (Jn 15:20-21).
Jesus had his best reasons for calling and choosing the twelve Apostles from among the people (disciples) who followed him.
First of all, He called and chose them to be his companions and friends, and just like in every genuine human friendship and companionship, they could share their joys and sorrows together. “You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors… but part of God’s household” (Eph 2:19ff, also Cf. Jn 15:14ff).
Secondly, Jesus called them so that they could learn from him like students or trainees learn from their master. Jesus called his Apostles to teach them to be like him. “…..I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father” (Jn 15:15).
Finally, Jesus called them to share in his ministry. Therefore, he appropriately called them “Fishers of men”. They would work with Jesus, their Master to bring people into the Kingdom of God. They were to go on a mission to preach the Good News to the whole world, cast out evil spirits in people, cure/heal the sick, raise the dead and baptise people.
The visible sign of God’s Kingdom on earth, which the Apostles were called and chosen to proclaim and bring to people in the whole world, is the Church. The Church, which is like a building has parts. The Apostles and Prophets are the foundations of the Church and Christ Jesus himself is the main cornerstone, all growing into ‘one holy temple in the Lord’.
Today, the Apostles are no longer physically present with us to accomplish the reasons for which they were called and chosen by Jesus. However, by virtue of our baptism and confirmation, we have taken their place in the world to accomplish these. We pray that we may acknowledge the fact that we are Jesus’ companions and friends, his students, and his co-workers in the world. We are now the foundation stones of the Church to hold the Church stand firm, so that the “gates of the underworld can never overpower it” (Mt 16:18).
We can do this not necessarily actively proclaiming the Good News in the streets, villages, towns and in Churches, but carrying out our ordinary daily tasks or responsibilities to the best of our abilities and capabilities, and with dedication and commitment.
May God give us the grace and the strength to start our ministry as apostles from our homes/families, workplaces/offices and into the whole world. May Saints Simon and Jude intercede for us. Stay blessed and Happy Feast Day to all who bear the names Simon and Jude Thaddeus.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, TUESDAY, ON THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN, THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR, THE CROWNING WITH THORNS, THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS AND THE CRUCIFIXION’ (WE PRAY FOR SORROW FOR SIN, PURITY, COURAGE, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “HAVING RECEIVED THIS SACRAMENT, O LORD, WE HUMBLY IMPLORE YOU IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, THAT WHAT WE DO TO HONOUR THE GLORIOUS PASSION OF THE APOSTLES SIMON AND JUDE MAY KEEP US EVER IN YOUR LOVE. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!