The Family of the Apostles
Celebrating Simon and Jude: 28th October, 2016
Eph 2:19-22; Lk 6:12-16
You are no longer alien, no longer strangers, you are part of the family that the Apostles belonged to, the family that was initiated as the starting point of the Reign of God. This familiarity is the greatest gift according to Paul, as he insists that we could have been no people, but God made us God's people through Christ. That is what we are, God's people!
Of Simon and Jude who we celebrate today, Judas Thaddeus, is said to be close to Jesus in his family ties and in his appearance. However, Jesus would not have made a big issue of it - for him those who listen to God's word and put it into practice are more familiar than anyone else! There is tendency even today, when we have the possibility of doing some favour to someone, how do we pick and choose as to whom to extend that favour to!
Simon and Jude, as all other apostles, teach the lesson that Jesus wants us to learn: it does not matter which tribe, or clan or caste I belong to - the only thing that matters is I belong to God, I form part of the family of God, the family of the Apostles!