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