Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles

The Collect of the Day
O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Psalm
119:89-96

The Readings
Deuteronomy 32:1-4     +     Ephesians 2:13-22     +     John 15:17-27

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 
~John 15:24

Over at the Grow Christians blog, Melody Wilson Shobe writes:

The Zealot Saint Simon is partnered with Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. The two of them were disciples, zealous for Jesus, willing to follow that particular lost cause to the cross and beyond. And their witness, when married together, has something to teach us about our experience of the faith, and the faith that we hope for our children. What if we, ourselves, were as zealous for Jesus as we are for our favorite brand of shoes or our newest binge-watch? And what if we formed our children to be zealots for lost causes instead of current trends?

Every once in a while I see this. I meet a kid who is so zealous in supporting animals that they ask for donations to the local shelter in lieu of birthday gifts. I hear from a young person who talks about serving at a homeless shelter with the same fervor that others reserve for going to a big sporting event. I hear one of my kids tell me what story they heard in Godly Play with the same excitement they relate the chapter of Harry Potter she just re-read for the 10th time.

I wonder, how can you, this week, help form the kids in your life as zealots for lost causes, as zealots for Jesus?

How can you direct their zealous energy in pursuit of the things that matter most?

Read the rest here.

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the example of your faithful servants Simon and Jude. Give us grace, that like them we may be zealous in spreading the message of your love, come what may. Amen.