The Holy Apostle Jude, Brother of the Lord According to the Flesh
Jude 1:1-10; John 14:21-24
Polyeleos Feast. Apostles’ Fast. Abstinence from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read Jude 1:1-10
Jude’s letter is small, but opens us up to a big world. He begins by speaking of our “common salvation.” What does this mean specifically? First, our salvation is rooted in history. Jude reminds us of God’s salvation given to the Israelites in the crossing of the Red Sea. This historical witness is the form of our own salvation. God saves us in a consistent way; what he does for the Israelites in Egypt, he performs for every human heart who willingly accepts him. Second, our salvation is rooted in a much larger world than this life. Jude opens up a world that includes the angels and the heavenly battle between Michael and Satan. What is the point of Jude revealing this war to us? We are naturally curious beings; just think how we are addicted to the news cycle. We enjoy knowing what is going on and knowledge can help us (though not always) comprehend our current personal situation. It also helps us to be humble. Knowing the destitute poverty in parts of the world, the utter destruction of wars in the middle east, the civic unrest during these race riots, can instruct us to be grateful for what we have, mindful that it could be a lot worse. Hence, Jude’s introduction to this heavenly battle lets us know that something much more dramatic is going on than we realize. This battle also effects us. It’s out of our control often times, but we can manage it. Our own war that we wage in our spiritual life to turn to God is aided knowing that we have strong helpers, the angels and the saints. These beings, united to God through divinization share his power with us. They mediate God’s grace to us in an intimate way. In our small corner of the world and history, we have access to this great power. Let us be fortified by their witness and protection so we can reach out boldly to our common salvation.