Jesus Also Calls Us Today To Be His Apostles
Introduction
Little is known about these apostles. The nickname “Zealot” probably indicates the Simon had been among the anti-Roman activists before he became an apostle. Jude, brother of James and also called Thaddeus, asked Jesus after the Last Supper how Jesus could show himself to the world as Messiah without using force. Jesus answered him that the believers would accept him because of his love.
1 Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22
Brothers and sisters: 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. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 19:2-3, 4-5
R. (5a) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge. R.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message. R.
Gospel: Luke 6:12-16
At this time, Jesus went out into the hills to pray, spending the whole night in prayer with God. When day came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them whom he called apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alpheus and Simon called the Zealot; Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would be the traitor.
Commentary
Jesus prays all through the night in the hills and then calls his own by name to him. Simon and Jude are chosen among the twelve. We know that Simon was called a zealot-one who was passionate about the coming of the messiah and the kingdom of God in justice for the people. Whether he belonged to the Zealot party (that was sometimes violent in attacking the Romans, engaged in subversive activities) or not, he is remembered for his strength in wanting God’s kingdom to come into the world. And then there is Jude, the son of James-really Judas, the same as the one who betrayed Jesus but this one remained faithful. Both died martyrs’ deaths after they came in the power of the Spirit to know the courage of the cross and allegiance to Jesus. Not much else is known about them except that they were from the beginning two of those who brought the good news to the poor. We too by our baptisms and confirmation have been called by name to walk with Jesus and to share the good news to the poor. Jesus has prayed for our faithfulness, our freedom and our obedience. Let us remember whose company we belong to and pray for one another.
Blessing
Jesus entrusts his own mission to weak and fallible human hand. “Entrusts,” for he trusts them enough. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can do God’s work as pastoral agents. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!