In the gospels we get to meet the apostles, some better than others. We get glimpses of the apostles through the lens of the gospel writers themselves. We meet Peter who is a bit rash and Thomas who doubts and Nathanael for whom there is no guile. We get Andrew who is willing to believe the young boy with two fish and five loaves can be effective for a multitude in the hands of Christ. We meet James and John whose mothers insists they sit one at the right and the other on the left of Jesus when he comes into his kingdom.
Some of the apostles we only get to know by name. Some actually get speaking parts.
St. Jude, whose feast we celebrate along with Simon the Zealot, two of the lesser known apostles, has speaking parts in the gospel.
At the last supper, while Jesus is giving his last teaching, St. Jude poses a question:
"Lord, how is it that you manifest yourself to us but not to the world." (Jn 14)
This is certainly a question for the ages; this is certainly a question that still rings true today. How often do we as believers look out into the world and wonder the very same question as we ponder the reality that looks back at us, a reality filled with many who do not believe.
We with Jude ask, "Lord, how is it that you manifest yourself to us but not to the world."
What was Jesus' response?
"If a man loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him, we will come to him and make our home with him." (Jn 14:22-23)
St. Jude certainly was a man of courage who was not afraid to dialogue with Jesus his teacher, his Lord, his friend. The question he asks led to a beautiful answer, an answer that is essential to every Christian. This answer would not have been heard lest the question was first asked.
Jesus in the answer helps clarify and bring to light the mystery of the divine in dwelling, where the Trinity, The Father, Son, and Spirit, seek to make a home in the heart of one who professes faith and lives the faith they profess, "We will come to him and make our home with him."
It is important to note that questions are necessary to deepening one's faith understanding.
Finally on the note of St. Jude. In the gospels when St. Jude's name is mentioned Jn 14:22 he is described as Judas, not Iscariot.
What a beautiful testimony to the great loyalty that St. Jude held in his heart for Christ. He may have the same name of the betrayer but he certainly wasn't the same man, "not Iscariot."
May we seek to be known also as "not Iscariot"
No comments:
Post a Comment