Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ephesians 2:12-16
Psalm 19:2-5
Luke 6:12-16
A reflection on today's Scripture:
With Christ as the capstone, we are all members of the household of God, where the Holy
Spirit resides. With the Apostles and prophets as the foundation, the holy temple is
further strengthened with each one of us praising and glorifying God the Father. Such
security within the temple is unsurpassed, for there is no greater comfort and peace
elsewhere.
Today is the feastday of St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles. Nicknamed "The
Zealot" for his rigid adherence to the Jewish law and the Canaanite law, Simon
preached in Egypt and then later to Armenia (Persia), where he and St. Jude were both
martyred. After their martyrdom, the Armenian nation was converted to Christianity in the
3rd century.
St. Jude is known as the patron saint of desperate cases. He is invoked because his New
Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere, even in the environment of
harsh and difficult circumstances.
- Steve Green