{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Reflections","title":"St. Simeon and St. Jude, Apostles","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":358,"description":"October 28, 2026\n\nToday's Reading: John 15:(12-16) 17-21\nDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Matthew 19:1-15\n\n“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)\n\nIn the Name + of Jesus. Amen.\n\nSimon the Zealot and Jude, son of James, are two of the Twelve apostles about whom we know very little. They don’t have dramatic conversion stories like Paul. They didn’t walk on water like Peter or lean on Jesus’ chest like John. Jude wrote one short letter, and Simon didn’t even get that. In many ways, they’re the forgotten apostles.\n\nBut Jesus didn’t forget them. He chose them, called them by name, and sent them out to preach the Gospel. And according to tradition, both were martyred for that Gospel. The world hated them because the world first hated Jesus.\n\nJesus warns His disciples about this in today’s reading. “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” This isn’t meant to discourage you. It’s meant to prepare you for reality. Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee popularity, success, or comfort.\n\nThe world hated Jesus because He exposed its sin and proclaimed a kingdom not of this world. The world hates Christians for the same reason. When you confess that Jesus is the only way to the Father, the world calls you intolerant. When you hold to God’s Word, the world calls you backwards.\n\nBut here’s what matters: Jesus chose you out of the world. You didn’t choose Him; He chose you. He called you by name in your Baptism and made you His own. He’s given you His World, His forgiveness, His Body and Blood. He’s promised that nothing can separate you from His love.\n\nSimon and Jude weren’t famous apostles, but they were faithful. They preached Christ crucified and risen. They endured suffering for His name. And now they’re with Him in Paradise, wearing the white robes of the martyrs.\n\nYou may never be famous for your...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/P3eUvssXYVZBQK4BZg1UEKstUh8zuVz_CoZCK6YjRSs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI1MTcyLzE3MDI0/Mjg1MzAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}