Faith Daily | 28 October 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p593

Almighty and everlasting God,

give to us the increase of faith, hope and love;

and, that we may obtain what you promise,

make us to love what you command;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 6: 12-16

Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Rev’d Graham

Today in parts of the Christian church, two of the twelve that Jesus chose as his disciples, Saint Simon and Saint Jude, are remembered for their faithfulness to their calling.

When we think of these two, we are reminded that Jesus did not look for the rich and famous, the good and powerful, but chose ordinary people in much the same way as happens today.

Simon is often referred to as Simon the Zealot because of his passion for upholding the Jewish law. (so that we do not get him confused with Simon Peter). He was very passionate. However, as he became more influenced by Jesus’ presence and teaching, his life was changed, and he became immersed in teaching what he had learnt from Jesus in a loving way.

Jude is often referred to as Jude Thaddeus, and this developed so that he would not be confused with Judas Iscariot, who handed Jesus over to the authorities. A legend has it that he may have been a farmer. He too went out with enthusiasm to teach people as a result of his association with Jesus. One tradition has it that the two disciples went out together to teach about Jesus, taking with them eyewitness accounts of the miracles and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Martyrdom awaited these two – tradition has it together – as it did a number of other followers, and so Simon and Jude have a common feast day today.

Simon and Jude were ordinary people, different from each other in a number of ways, yet they developed a common goal, and as a result many people became believers and came to know God through learning about Jesus. Each of us too, no matter how we feel about our status in life, is called to follow the examples we have in Jesus, to grow in our relationship with God, and with humility and love together help others in their quest and their walk.

FINAL PRAYER Prayer for discipleship (from APBA)

God, whose insistent call disturbs our settled lives:

give us discernment to hear your word,

grace to relinquish our tasks,

and courage to follow empty-handed wherever you may lead,

so that the voice of your gospel may reach the ends of the earth. Amen.