Word to the Wise
Thursday, October 28, 2021 - 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]
I have told the story before of the talent search firm supposedly hired by Mr. Jesus Christ to help in the selection of the apostles. The final report rejects eleven of the proposed names as being emotionally unstable and impulsive (Peter), politically ambitious (James and John), radicalized (Simon the Zealot), chronically skeptical (Thomas), employee of Roman authorities (Matthew/Levi), etc. The one name that receives a recommendation is Judas Iscariot for his financial acumen and practical outlook! But we are told that after a night long prayer session, Jesus chose the Twelve from among the other disciples. The number is almost as important as the individuals because it symbolizes the twelve original tribes of Israel and also symbolizes the New Israel, the Church! The title "apostle" ("one who is sent") would be shared by others, notably St. Paul and St. Barnabas, but "the Twelve" is reserved for those who were chosen by Jesus plus the one chosen by "casting lots" - Matthias - after Judas was gone! There had to be twelve!
Some of these would get "speaking parts" in the gospel accounts, others would disappear into the material for legends and traditions. All but John are considered to have been martyred for the faith. Jude gets extra attention because he became the patron saint of hopeless cases. (I'm sure he's busy!). I have preached at least four St. Jude novenas in my itinerant years and the faith of the participants has been as impressive as their cases seemed hopeless!
The Letter to the Ephesians speaks of the "household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles" to which we belong as baptized Christians. I have heard participants in the RCIA programs around the country speak of "coming home" when they join the church. If nothing else, the variety of the original Twelve should warn them and us that this is one interesting household! AMEN