October 28: Saints Simon and Jude / Santos Simon y Judas

In the Gospel of St. Luke (6, 12-13), we read: “In these days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray; and all night He continued in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom He named apostles.”

This short account of the call of the apostles would be followed by the “preaching and healing mission” given to them by Jesus. But let’s remember that Jesus was the first “missionary,” for he was sent by His Father with the “good news” that God is loving, merciful, and forgiving – and He wants to save everyone through His Son, Jesus. Luke 6 describes how this “first missionary” selected and empowered twelve future missionaries as apostles to continue His mission.

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In honoring Sts. Simon and Jude today, the Church invites us to recall how Jesus selected very ordinary people, most of them hard-working fishermen with no social status, learning or political influence. And yet, He was certain that they would be very effective instruments in God’s hands. Their response to His call showed that their admiration and love for Jesus empowered them, encouraged them, and united them. What will our admiration and love for Jesus do for us today?

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Jesús confía su propia misión a manos humanas, débiles, y falibles. “Confía,” porque se fía suficientemente de ellos, como Santo Simón y San Judas. Poco conocemos sobre estos do apóstoles. El apodo “Zelote” indica probablemente que Simón había pertenecido al grupo de activistas anti-romanos antes de convertirse en apóstol. Judas, hermano de Santiago y llamado también Tadeo, preguntó a Jesús después de la Última Cena cómo el mismo Jesús podría mostrarse a sí mismo como Mesías sin usar la fuerza. Jesús le respondió que los creyentes le aceptarían por su amor.

Con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo, esforcémonos en hacer la tarea que Dios nos encomienda, especialmente el amor.