Simon and jude

Ephesians 2:19-22; Ps 19 Their message goes out through all the earth; Luke 6:12-16

As we close the month of October and get ready for November and December, we are asked to pause and as we say good by to October we recognize to of the apostles: SImon and Jude on this their feast day.

Not much is known about Simon, the Zealot or Jude aka Thaddaeus.

But we do know a little.

Simon, was called the zealot. He was a man of great passion and at least passionate attachment to his Jewish identity, God and the divine law. He was driven by this passion in all that he did.

This zeal certainly set him apart from Matthew, one of the other apostles. In fact, Simon and Matthew were worlds apart: Simon the zealot, passionate for his Jewish identity and Matthew, the sell out who was a tax collector.

It is hard to imagine any two more different people, yet in Christ they were called to stand together.

They lived side by side bound by Jesus Christ.

As Pope Benedict points out, this difference in unity reminds us that Jesus did not care about labels or social class but rather he was interested in people. Despite our differences, difficulties can be overcome in Christ, for in Christ we are given strength to get the better of our conflicts and allow them to be fruitful for unity.

Something to think about as we move and rub up against so many different types of persons and personalities. We can get the better of our differences and difficulties in Christ rather than letting then get the better of us.

Secondly we look to Jude aka Thaddaeus. Jude has a letter in the New Testament, which would be worth reading today on his feast.

Jude had a very important and timely question he asked Jesus at the Lord's Supper, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world."


Why did God in Christ not reveal himself in full glory to his enemies in order to win them over, to show them he was God?

Why only show his disciples?

Jesus' answer is very revealing for us, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

The Risen one must be perceived not by sight alone but by the heart. Jesus, the Lord, does not address himself as a thing, but he desires to enter our lives, thus he requires an open heart.

Check you heart today. IS it open or has it been hardened shut.

Will you let Him in and let him make his home within you?