Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - Oct. 28 - Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles
[Eph 2:19-22 and Luke 6:12-19]"You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone." [Ephesians]
Some of us still remember the famous Abbot and Costello routine known as "Who's on first?" The title entered the American lexicon as a term for a confused situation. Keeping track of the names of the twelve apostles can be like that. There were two Simons and two Judes. There is a Matthew, or is it "Levi?" And there is a Bartholomew, or is it "Nathaniel?" And then there is the replacement chosen by prayer and dice named Matthias. What seems to be solid is that the number twelve was maintained and became a title, "The Twelve." Today, we celebrate the lesser well-known Simon the Zealot and the better known Jude, the patron of hopeless cases!
On several occasions, at this time of the year, I have been invited to preach a "novena in honor of St. Jude." The affection and devotion that I witnessed on these occasions has been very inspiring. I can only refer back to my reflection yesterday about the importance of HOPE, and St. Jude Thaddeus (as he is known so that he isn't confused with Judas Iscariot) is the patron of those who seem to have lost hope for whatever reason. As for St. Simon the Zealot, I can't say I have engaged in any revolutionary activities worthy of his nickname. Suffice it to say about both these apostles that Jesus picked them to be among his closest associates and we live in the same "household of God" with them. I hope we get along! AMEN
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