Simon, passionate about the Lord … ↔ TODAY WE CELEBRATE the Feast of the Apostles Simon and Judah Thaddeus, who share a date in the calendar because they are always mentioned together in the New Testament when the list of the Twelve is given. Furthermore, according to some ancient traditions, both preached and were martyred in Mesopotamia, an area of the Middle East located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, to which coincides with some areas of today’s Iraq and Syria.
Luke’s Gospel says that Simon’s name was „Zealot“ (Lk 6, 15), which literally means „“avid“ in Aramaic. It was also used to refer to those who belonged to, or sympathized with, a movement then in vogue in Israel that opposed Roman rule by, that it supported non-payment of taxes and promoted various types of rebellion. It is quite possible that Simon shared the ideas of this group. His nickname suggests that he was characterized by a zeal for Jewish identity, and therefore for God, for his people, and for God’s law. If this is the case, Simon is the opposite of Matthew, who, on the contrary, as a customs officer came from an activity considered completely impure. It is a clear sign that Jesus is calling his disciples and collaborators from the most diverse social and religious classes, without exclusion. He is interested in people, not social categories or stickers.
Despite their differences, the apostles knew how to live together because they found in Jesus the reason for their cohesion: in him, they were all united. „It is a clear lesson for us, who often tend to emphasize differences and perhaps opposites, forgetting that in Jesus Christ we receive the strength to overcome our conflicts“. For this reason, the prelate of Opus DEI calls us to live a Christian brotherhood that avoids „discrimination in mutual relations that could arise when differences are noted. In fact, this diversity is often a wealth of characters, sensibilities, interests, etc.“ The figure of Saint Simon shows us that it is possible to love others beyond natural sympathies or antipathies, to love „ each other as true brothers and sisters, with kindness and understanding of one’s own, who form a close family“.
SAINT JUDAH THADDEUS, whose nickname means „generous“, he asked Jesus the question at the last supper: „Lord, how come you want to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?“ (John 14, 22). It is a question that we could still ask today: Why did the Lord not appear resurrected in a more magnificent way? Why didn’t he show himself victorious over his opponents? Why did he choose only a few disciples to witness his resurrection?
Jesus’ answer, although it may seem mysterious at first glance, introduces us to the mystery of God’s relationship with people, as well as to the deeper meaning of his death and resurrection: „Who loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him; we will come to him and make our abode with him“ (John 14, 23). On the other hand, the Lord adds: „He who does not love me does not keep my words“ (John 14, 24). „ This means that the Risen One must also be seen and perceived with the heart so that God can make a dwelling place in us. The Lord does not present himself as a matter of course. He wants to enter our lives, and therefore his revelation presupposes an open heart. That’s the only way we can see the Risen One.
Sometimes we might want Jesus to intervene in a more visible or immediate way in our lives, as well as in the great events that have marked the history of the world. Indeed, he could do so, as he had the opportunity to do during his earthly tenure. But that is not God’s way. Jesus Christ, dead and resurrected, presents himself to us as radiant and at the same time discreet, challenging our sensitivity, our ability to open up and recognize Him in what constitutes our day, in beauty, which goes unnoticed, even in the pain that seems to have broken out, as well as in the comings and goings associated with the care of personal relationships. In everything, Jesus offers us his helping hand to magnanimously expand his kingdom of love. We understand that „ thirsts after reign in our hearts of God’s children. But let’s not imagine any human kingdoms,“ preached Saint Josemaría, „Christ neither controls nor tries to assert himself, because he did not come to be served, but to serve. His kingdom is a kingdom of peace, joy, justice. Christ, our king, expects not only empty words from us, but deeds, because not everyone who says to me: Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he, who does the will of my Father who is in heaven“.
Total love freedom … ↔ SAINT JUDAS THADDEUS, he is traditionally considered the author of one of the letters of the New Testament. It is one of the so-called Catholic letters, because it was addressed to all Christians, and not only to those from a certain city. Judah sends him to those who are called, loved in God the Father and preserved for Jesus Christ„ “Jd 1, 1(. After this greeting, he draws the attention of Christians to some moral and doctrinal deviations that were introduced into the Church and that caused a split. Many of these problems related to the false understanding of Christian freedom, which „ confuse the grace of our God with eccentricities“ (Jd 1, 4).
In common parlance, freedom can sometimes be reduced to a person simply doing what they want and as often as they want. However, „selfish freedom to do what I want is not freedom because it turns against itself, it is not fruitful. It is the love of Christ that has set us free, and it is also the love that frees us from the worst slavery, from our own self; therefore, freedom grows with love. But beware: not with romantic love, not with soap opera love, not with a passion that simply seeks what we like and love, but with love, which we see in Christ, with love: this is the truly free and liberating love“. Therefore, Saint Jude Thaddeus ends his letter by encouraging Christians to remain in God’s love (. Jd 1, 20), that is, to always act like Jesus: they served others and gave generously, because he understood from the Master, that it is possible to give up your own life and accept „death in full freedom Love“
„Freedom takes on its true meaning,“ commented Saint Josemaría, „only if it serves the truth that liberates when it eats in search of God’s infinite Love, releasing us from all our addictions“. This is how Simon and Judas Thaddeus lived. They show us that a life focused on Christ and on serving our brothers leads to a deep happiness that frees us from the slavery of sin. The Virgin Mary can help us live with the freedom of God’s sons.
Hello. And Bye.