As we celebrate the life and witness of the apostles, Simon and Jude, we are reminded that each of us is known by God by name.
The readings for the feast day of SS Simon and Jude (October 28th) can be found here
Some people seem to have a great gift for remembering names whilst others, like me, can so easily let a name slip especially if it’s not a name I use very often.
Having said that, there are probably many other things I forget. Getting someone’s name wrong can be embarrassing , whilst having our names remembered by someone we may consider to be more important than us, makes us feel a little more important too.
The list of twelve names given in the gospel reading today may be well known to us although it can be confusing when different gospel writers give alternative names for the same person. Whilst Simon and Jude are listed, we know very little about them. For centuries, Jude himself became so confused with Judas Iscariot that he became more overlooked.
Despite the lack of detail, Simon and Jude were —and remain—significant individuals, called by Jesus as apostles and sent out with the good news of God’s Kingdom. At St Paul reminds us we are citizens with the saints, part of the church built upon the back of the apostles. Because of them, we can stand tall, being built with Jesus into a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. There is one thing for certain—God knows each of us by name, and like Simon and Jude, has a design for our lives.
Mass today is at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 630pm
South Cardiff Ministry Area 