the other judas
Jesus "selected twelve of them to be His apostles: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who turned traitor." —Luke 6:13-16
Jude (Judas) was one of the least famous of the apostles. It didn't help that he had the same first name as Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. The Lord recounts in the Bible only one sentence of Jude, in which he asks a stupid question (Jn 14:22). So Jude wasn't a favorite saint.
Nevertheless, one day many years ago the Holy Spirit inspired a few people to ask St. Jude to pray for them (see Rm 8:26). Because the Lord had chosen to work through St. Jude, their prayers in union with St. Jude were answered in many astounding ways. Of course, they told others about the Lord working through the prayers of St. Jude. Soon more people were asking St. Jude to pray for greater miracles — even the impossible. The Lord continued to work through St. Jude, to the degree that he has become known as the patron of the impossible.
St. Jude is still being used mightily by God. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you in your prayers and guide you to the truth (see Jn 16:13) about St. Jude's part in your life and prayers. St. Jude, patron of the impossible, pray for us.
Prayer: Father, teach me what it means that I am a member of the Church founded on Simon, Jude, the other apostles, and the prophets (see Eph 2:20).
Promise: "This means that you are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God." —Eph 2:19
Praise: Humbled for a time, St. Jude has been exalted by God to intercede for the most impossible of cases and circumstances.
Reference: (To build a new "civilization of love," attend our retreat Proclaiming the Gospel of Life, Nov. 8-10. For information or to register, call 937-587-5464 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002