SIMON CALLED THE ZEALOT AND JUDAS, SON OF JAMES

PRAYER MOMENT 

Tuesday 28 October 2014, SS Simon and Jude

SIMON CALLED THE ZEALOT AND JUDAS, SON OF JAMES

                     

Pause. Be still in God’s presence.

Reading: “Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’; Simon whom he called Peter … Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James …” (Luke 6:12-16)

Reflection. They are just names to us, Simon and Jude; we know nothing about them beyond that they were counted among the twelve. This was the new Israel and they would symbolise the new ‘twelve tribes.’ The number twelve never occurs again after the brief mention in Acts  Chapter 1, because it had fulfilled its function of making the link between the old and the new. What is key for us is that Jesus, right at the beginning of his ministry, called disciples. He needed them if he was to proclaim the reign of God. We know the names of a few but the vast majority, including us, are hidden. No one knows our names except a few people around us  - and God. It makes us pause when we consider that the whole project of Jesus depends on us - disciples freely choosing to respond to his call; ‘follow me.’ We have done that, each in our own way.  He is so dependent on us!

Prayer. Lord, you call us to share in the great work of proclaiming the reign of God by our lives. May we rejoice in this and truly witness to your truth and love in our world! Amen.  

David Harold-Barry SJ