Sts. Simon and Jude

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way. John 14:15-31

St. Simon and St. Jude are thought to have been missionaries to Persia and died there. These two are maybe least known historically, which is why I like them. It is Jude that asked Jesus why questions and get the answer that they will be sent the spirit and “my father will love them, and we will come and make our home with them.” It is then that Jesus promises the Holy Spirit who will guide us and teach us. It’s not for nothing that Jude is said to be the saint of lost causes. Sometimes we are all lost causes. As we fly home today, after a wonderful adventure in Scotland, I will think of St. Jude of lost causes and remember that the holy trinity has made a home with even me, no matter how far I wander.

Wondrous Creator, you have made your home with us

Teaching us the good ways of love and healing 

And you walk with us on every challenging journey.

We like to go our own ways and think we know best

We are often lost to your way and your truth

And you have promised to find us wherever we roam.

Find us and heal us dear Lord, we pray today

So that we might live in your truth and love

And carry love and healing to all lost souls today. Amen.