Gospel of the Day: Luke 6:12–16 — Called by Name

Gospel reading for Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Gospel: Luke 6:12–16

Before the names are spoken and the mission takes shape, there is a night of prayer. In this Gospel, we glimpse the quiet communion with the Father from which Jesus calls his apostles.

What happens in the passage

Jesus goes up a mountain to pray and remains there throughout the night, praying to God. When daylight comes, he gathers his disciples and chooses twelve of them, whom he names apostles.

Luke lists them individually: Simon, whom Jesus names Peter; Andrew, Peter’s brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, called the Zealot; Judas, the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who becomes a traitor.

On the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, we hear their names within this larger company. The passage does not describe their personalities or tell us their later stories. Its focus is simpler: Jesus prays, calls, and chooses. These men are drawn from among his disciples for a particular mission as apostles.

What this means for us today

Jesus gives prayer time and space. Before choosing the Twelve, he spends the night with his Father. For us, this is an invitation to let prayer shape our decisions rather than merely asking God to approve decisions we have already made.

We may not be able to spend a whole night in prayer. We can, however, pause before a difficult conversation, bring an important choice before the Lord, or set aside a few quiet minutes before reaching for our phone. Prayer is not a technique for guaranteeing an easy outcome. It is a relationship in which we learn to listen, trust, and surrender.

The list of names also reminds us that God’s call is personal. The apostles are not an anonymous crowd. Each is known, and each is invited into a mission greater than himself. Through Baptism, we too are called to belong to Christ and bear witness to him in the circumstances of our own lives.

The mention of Judas Iscariot adds a sobering note. Being called does not remove our freedom or make faithfulness automatic. We need grace each day, and we need to keep turning towards Jesus.

Simon and Jude need not have long speeches in this passage to matter. Neither do we need recognition for our faithfulness to be precious to God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, teach me to seek the Father in prayer and to answer your call with a faithful, willing heart.

Read the full reading: USCCB Daily Readings