A Time for Solidarity - Saints and Sinners
Today’s Readings: St. Simon & St. Jude:AM: Psalm 66; Isaiah 28:9-16; Ephesians 4:1-16John 14:15-31
When I was growing up there was a joke in our family about my mother’s St. Jude metal that she wore. On the back it said, “In case of an accident call an Episcopal priest and DO NOT TAKE ME TO University Hospital.” Mother had it in her head that patients who went to the hospital where medical students were trained would be guinea pigs, exposed to all kinds of horrific medical experiments. The medical care there was probably excellent but there was no convincing her of that. For years I knew St. Jude was the patron saint of hospitals, but it turns out he was also the patron saint of impossible causes, and desperate situations. I laughed when I realized that mother had been unknowingly asking for protection for our dysfunctional family and for the hospital she feared so much!
Our readings for today honor St. Jude and St. Simon, both considered to be two of the twelve original disciples. These two are honored on the same day because what little information we have describes them as co-missioners who traveled together to Persia and were martyred there.
St. Simon is only mentioned once in the New Testament; however he’s also associated with one of the many zealous movements, with no clear indication which one.
St. Jude is identified as the patron saint of impossible causes and desperate situations because he preached the Gospel with great passion, often in the most difficult circumstances. It was Jude who after the Last Supper asked Our Lord why he chose to reveal Himself only to the disciples. Jesus replied: "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." (John 14:22)
The intent of John is to assure Christ’s followers of the presence of the union of Jesus and God, that they are a singular presence in our lives, and what’s more that neither will ever lose any of God’s children, we can never be separated from God’s love, no matter how imperfect we may be.
Prayers to a saint can feel very personal. I can see though, how prayers to the saints can degenerate into a practice of asking for personal favors without a sense of the solidarity we so desperately need now. John assures all who have accepted Christ’s promise of salvation in their hearts that they will never be lost. That none of us will be lost.
I’ve come to consider more thoughtfully the need for solidarity as sinners and followers, in suffering and in rejoicing. In light of Christ’s solidarity, as the one Body of Christ, not only with God but with the children of God, I hope we can each focus our prayers more on our communities, on our “neighbors as ourselves,” and less on our personal needs and opinions. There have been many times in our history marked by difficult divisive forces; now is certainly one of them.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection: Could it be that we should all be wearing St. Jude metals, praying that we are strengthened as we face impossible causes and desperate situations? How often do you pray for a sense of solidarity with our brothers and sisters? Who is your partner as you go into the world proclaiming the Gospel?