💖 HOMILY - OCTOBER 28 💖

FEAST OF SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES

First Reading - Ephesians 2:19-22

Gospel - Luke 6:12-16

In today’s readings, we are reminded of the Church's essential characteristics, as proclaimed in the Nicene Creed: it is “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.” These marks reflect the profound unity and purpose that we, as believers, share in Christ. We are invited to cherish the rich spiritual inheritance passed down through the centuries and to continue building up this living Body of Christ, the Church.

In the first reading, Paul addresses the unity of believers in Christ. He emphasizes that in Christ, there are no divisions based on race, social status, or background; all are united as one. Paul speaks of the Church’s foundation: Christ as the cornerstone, and the apostles and prophets as the pillars upon which this spiritual temple is built. We see here the strength and unity of the Church, a family where each believer is a valued part of a larger body, working together with Christ at the center.

The gospel passage today highlights the call of the apostles. Jesus prays throughout the night before choosing the twelve, showing the importance and divine intention behind this call. The apostles come from various backgrounds—fishermen, tax collectors, zealots—yet Jesus calls each one for a specific purpose. He names them apostles, “sent ones,” and entrusts them with His mission to spread the Good News and to establish the early Church. This special relationship with Jesus, coupled with their diversity, reflects the unique unity in the Church, where every individual has a distinct role but shares in the same purpose.

Dear friends, as members of this Church, we share in a profound patrimony—our faith, teachings, and traditions, handed down from the apostles. This inheritance unites us, strengthens our identity, and calls us to contribute to the Church’s mission. We are reminded that the Church is more than just a building or institution; it is a living body of believers guided by the Holy Spirit, rooted in Christ, and sent out into the world.

Today, we are called to preserve and deepen the unity of the Church through our love and commitment to one another. We are invited to be living witnesses of the faith we have received. Like the apostles, we are “sent” into our communities, workplaces, and families to share the Good News, not only in words but by the example of our lives. By living out the teachings of Jesus, passed on through the apostles, we become part of the Church’s ongoing mission to bring Christ’s love and truth to the world.

Let us give thanks for our inheritance as members of this one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. May we be faithful to our calling, building up the Church by embodying Christ’s love and truth in all we do, and may we inspire others to come to know and cherish this great gift we have received.