One Minute Reflection – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles and Martyrs, Gospel: Luke 6:12-19
And when it was day, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostle … Luke 6:13
REFLECTION – “Saint Paul said: “The weakness of God is stronger than all men” (1Cor 1:25). It is clear from this too that the gospel is divine. For whence did it strike twelve unlettered men to attempt such great enterprises, men who were living in marshes, or rivers, in desert places, who had never perhaps gone into a city or the public square? Whence did it strike them to array themselves against the whole world? That they were cowardly and unmanly, he who has written about them shows, inasmuch as he does not even deprecate nor try to gloss over their failings. This, in itself, is a powerful proof of the truth. What then does this man say about them? That after the innumerable miracles they had seen Christ work, when He was taken prisoner some fled, while the one who remained, although he was head over the rest, denied Him.
Here were men who failed to stand up to the Jews when Christ was alive. Yet when He died and was buried, they arrayed themselves against the whole world… Would they not have said to themselves: “What is this? He had not strength to save Himself, will He protect us? He did not defend Himself when He was alive, will He reach out His hand to us, now He is dead? When He was alive He did not conquer a single nation—shall we convince the whole world by speaking His name?”… Hence it is clear that, if they had not seen Him risen and received this mighty proof of His power, they would never have risked such a gamble.” … St John Chrysostom (c.345-407) Priest at Antioch then Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church – Homily on the 1st letter to the Corinthians 4, 3
PRAYER – Lord God, You taught us to call upon Your name, through the preaching of the Apostles. Open our eyes each day, grant that we may see Jesus Your Son at our side, open our ears that we may hear His voice, open our mouths, that we may beg forgiveness and proclaim the good news, as we follow the way Your Son carved out for us. At the intercession of Sts Simon and Jude, may Your Church continue to grow and to hope in Your love. We make our prayer through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.
I think God put the thought to flee in the hearts of the apostles at that time. 1. Jesus said that they would flee, so, that prediction had to be made to be. 2. It was important to God’s story for the world, that only Jesus would be crucified at that time. The focus needed to be all on Jesus. If any of the apostles had been crucified with Him, it would of taken away from the story of Jesus. 3. It was strategically important for God to keep all the apostles alive, so they could get the Church started.
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Interesting thought! The deeply theological content of the Crucifixion of the Son of God is, of course, predicted from all time. And yes, too, the foundation of His Bride, the Church.
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Ah, another book I am bring with me is a Christ through Easiren Eyes. I just know you’llve that one. Boy, my luggage is getting heavier.
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Christ through what Eyes? ??
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Through Middle Eastren Eyes. A Teacher at a school was from the USA and lived there for 40+ years and he writes about the Navity. Pointing a different look. Ror example, they didn’t have inns and Joseph a son David as aimost all the residents of Bethleham were also of David’s lineage. He also describes the floor plan the houses wih drawings. He doesn’t challenge anything anything about Christianity but shows how the customs and lives of the time. Great read I let our former priest borrow it he took it with him so I guess he likes it.
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