Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Daily Oratory provides Scripture references and original reflections. It does not republish full copyrighted lectionary readings.

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

October 28, 2026

Mass Readings: Ephesians 2:19–22 • Psalm 19:2–5 • Luke 6:12–16 Psalm Response: “Their message goes out through all the earth.” The Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude on October 28.

Built on Christ, Sent into the World

There is a beautiful movement running through today’s Mass:

Prayer → Calling → Church → Mission.

Before Jesus chooses the Twelve, He does something easy to overlook: He spends the entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12–16).

The apostolic Church begins in prayer.

Jesus does not choose the Twelve after a strategy meeting or because they possess impressive qualifications. Their mission begins within His communion with the Father. Only after praying does Jesus call His disciples to Himself and choose twelve whom He names Apostles.

That order teaches us something important: before Christ sends us, He calls us to Himself.

Prayer comes before mission. Communion comes before action. Discipleship begins not with what we accomplish for Jesus, but with remaining close enough to Him to hear where He is asking us to go.

Saint Paul then reveals what Christ intends to build through the Apostles. We are “members of the household of God,” built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19–22). Through Him, the whole Church becomes a holy temple—a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

This gives us an extraordinary picture of the Church.

The Apostles are foundational, but Christ is the One holding everything together.

The Church is not merely an institution we join. Through Baptism, we become living members of something God Himself is constructing. Each believer becomes part of a spiritual temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells.

The number twelve carries even deeper meaning. Israel was formed from the twelve tribes. By choosing Twelve Apostles, Jesus signals the gathering and renewal of God’s covenant people. What began with Israel now reaches toward every nation through Christ and His Church.

That is why Psalm 19 fits this feast so perfectly:

“Their message goes out through all the earth.” (Psalm 19:5)

The Psalm originally describes creation proclaiming the glory of God. The heavens speak without words; the whole earth witnesses to its Creator. On an apostolic feast, the Church applies that same missionary vision to those sent by Christ.

Creation proclaims that God is glorious.

The Apostles proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

And now that proclamation has reached us.

This creates a challenging question: Will the message continue through my life?

Most Christians will never preach to nations or travel as missionaries. Yet every baptized person participates in the apostolic mission of the Church.

The Gospel can travel through patience shown to someone difficult.

Through forgiveness when resentment would be easier.

Through courage when faith is unpopular.

Through quiet integrity when nobody is watching.

Through mercy toward someone who cannot repay us.

Through a life centered on prayer and nourished by the Eucharist.

Saints Simon and Jude remind us that Christ takes ordinary people, draws them close to Himself, and sends them farther than they could ever imagine.

And perhaps the deepest lesson comes from the beginning of today's Gospel.

Jesus prayed before He chose.

When facing an important decision, our instinct is often to think harder, plan more, or seek another opinion. Christ shows another way:

Go first to the Father.

Bring the decision into prayer.

Remain there long enough to surrender your own preference.

Then listen.

The Church herself was born from this movement—Christ praying, Christ calling, Christ sending.

And that movement continues in every disciple.

Today, ask Jesus:

“Lord, what are You calling me toward, and where are You sending me?”

Then remain close enough to hear His answer.

Saints Simon and Jude, pray for us, that we may remain rooted in Christ, faithful to His Church, and courageous in carrying His Gospel into the world.