Friends of the Rosary,
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles. On this day, we also celebrate the fifth anniversary of Maria Blanca's departure.
They both "edified the body of Christ", and the grateful Church thus prays to our Lord today: "O God, through the work of the apostles you have spoken your Word of love, your Son, into our world's deafness. Open our ears to hear; open our hearts to heed; open our will to obey, that we may proclaim the good news with our lives."
Tradition says Simon and Jude partnered as missionaries, traveling to preach the Gospel in regions such as Persia and Babylon. They were martyred together around AD 65 in Persia after refusing to worship pagan deities. Simon was reportedly sawed in half, and Jude was beaten with a club or axe. Their sacred relics are largely preserved in the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome.
St. Jude, often depicted with a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom, is the author of the short Epistle that forms part of the New Testament. St. Jude's square points him out as an architect of the house of God. St. Paul called himself by this name. As nephew to St. Joseph through his father Cleophas or Alpheus, and as legal cousin to the Man-God, Jude was one of those his compatriots called the brethren of the carpenter's Son.
We may gather another precious detail about him from St. John's Gospel. At the Last Supper, Jude asked Him: "Lord, how is it, that Thou wilt manifest Thyself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus replied: "If any one love Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and will make Our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My word. And the word which you have heard is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me."
Through his intercession, St. Jude helped several saints in very large or hopeless matters, so his reputation began as the patron of impossible causes.
Saint Simon, called "the Zealot" or "the Cananean," is often considered the patron saint of tanners, curriers, and woodcutters.
Ave Maria!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
To Jesus through Mary!
Here I am, Lord; I come to do Your will.
Please give us the grace to respond with joy!
+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York
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