10/28/21 – St. Jude & St Simon

The Apostle St Jude, today’s saint, was brother of St James (the less). Both were cousins of Jesus.

Possibly the sons of St. Mary Cleopas who stood with the Blessed Virgin under the Cross during Jesus’s crucifixion. Imagine Mary Cleopas welcoming the Holy Family home from Egypt, did she bring the weary travellers a meal to restore them?

When praying the rosary today, imagine the excitement of Jude when Jesus returned from Egypt. Visualise Mary and Mary Cleopas who was either her older sister or sister in law, together as they watched their little boys play. What was their conversation as they talked and prayed?

It is not surprising that when Jude and James left home to join their cousin Jesus in his mission, that Mary Cleopas joined Mary. And that she stayed with Mary even to Calvary though her sons fled. After years with his Cousin Jesus, before and after His Resurrection, on Pentecost Jude received the grace that enabled him to take all he knew and loved and set out to give his life in teaching, miracles and finally in martyrdom.

He writes to us today:

“But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who told you, that in the last time there should come mockers, walking according to their own desires in ungodliness. These are they, who separate themselves, sensual men, having not the Spirit. But you, my beloved, building yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting. And some indeed reprove, being judged: But others save, pulling them out of the fire. And on others have mercy, in fear, hating also the spotted garment which is carnal.” (Epistle of Jude)

Remember that St Jude who was a witness to many of the mysteries of the Rosary and can help us learn the lessons he learned from them. Maybe that is why he is the “Saint of the Impossible”.