The Faith of the Apostles: The True Faith

 Reflection on Readings of the Feast of SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE, Thursday 28th October, 2021
Texts: Ephesians 2:19-22; Ps. 19:1-4; Luke 6:12-19
Today is the feast day of Saints Simon and Jude; they were both apostles. In the list of apostles, Simon is called canananite in the gospels of Matthew and Mark (Matt.10:4; Mark 3:18). Luke adds to his name 'Zealot' (6:15). Being zealot, it shows that he supported the struggle for self-determination of the Jews.
Jude is also known as Thaddeus because Matthew and Mark do not have Jude but Thaddeus in their list of apostles. In the account of John, Jude asked Jesus thus: "How is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" (14:22). This question of Jude makes today's first reading relevant. The first reading affirms that we become fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household by following the faith and Tradition of the apostles. St. Paul puts it this way: "You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets". Faith of the apostles becomes a model and path for us because they had the exclusive revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ revealed Himself to them that through them we may come to faith in Him and thereby become the members of God's household. We are therefore reminded, today, to take seriously the faith and Tradition of the apostles. When we follow the faith and Tradition of the apostles, we encounter Jesus Christ. Hence St. Paul says, "Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." The faith of the apostles lead us to Jesus. They taught the truth about Jesus Christ. Their words about Jesus Christ are truth because He had revealed Himself to them and they were faithful to the revelation.
Today's gospel reading shows the seriousness that Jesus attached to the selection of His apostles. He prayed all night before choosing them. This seriousness attests to the genuineness of the apostles in carrying out their works. The apostles were genuine and sincere in handing on the faith; they handed it on as they received it from Jesus Christ. Therefore, the true faith is the faith of the apostles; any deviation from it is an aberration. Let us keep the faith of the apostles so as to have true faith, the faith of apostles Simon and Jude. We are invited, today, to keep the faith of apostles Simon and Jude so as to participate in the inheritance of the saints.
Jesus Christ also teaches us, today, in His own very life to learn how to commit our fears and joy into God’s hand, and to pray before making important and life-changing decisions in our lives. Jesus prayed to choose those who would form His inner caucus, those who would continue His mission, those to whom He would entrust the divine revelation of Himself.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You, for in Your wisdom You have decided to reveal Yourself to the apostles that we might come to faith in You through them. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke