By Thomas Lima csc –
Readings: Eph 2:19-22; Lk 6:12-19
Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, who were our Lord’s holy apostles. Both of them travelled together spreading the faith in the region of Judea and Syria. They preached the good news of Jesus Christ, brought hope of salvation for all, and became witness to the light of Christ.
In the first reading, St. Paul reminds the Ephesians about what God has done for us. God has blessed and welcomed us into his family by choosing us as his adopted children. We are now one family by the blood of Christ. We have become fellow citizens with the saints. We are fortunate to believe in one God who can confirm and assure us an equal position in the Kingdom of heaven. We are no longer strangers but brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today’s gospel asks us, ‘how often do we pray before making important decisions, as Jesus did before choosing his apostles?’ It is a practical way of living. Prayer is all about showing gratitude to God through which we gain power to do any kind of work for God. Jesus spends the night in prayer in preparation for calling the apostles. Jesus comes to this decision only after he had been in communion with his beloved Father.
This example of a prayerful life inspires and calls me to have the same kind of intimacy and union with the Lord as I journey through my life.
Today’s readings invite me to reflect on my own vocation. As our founder Blessed Basil Moreau says, “To become an apostle according to your vocation, begin by being a man of prayer.” Through the example of St. Simon and St. Jude, I am delighted to have the same passion to respond to my own call. I continue to pray that I may be able to face any challenge and move ahead without hesitation. May the example of Jesus in prayer lead me to a deeper and more beautiful union with God.