Feasts of Sts. Simon and Jude, Saturday – 28th October 2023 — Gospel: Lk 12,35-38
Zealous Apostles
Today the church celebrates the memory of two of the twelve apostles. In the Scriptures, little is known of Jude and Simon except that their names are included in the list of the twelve apostles. Jude is mentioned in the list by Luke, whereas Matthew and Mark mention Thaddeus. Therefore, Jude or Thaddeus are the same person. Simon is mentioned in the list by all the four evangelists. In two of the Gospels, he is referred to as “a zealot” but the Scriptures do not speak of his activities as a zealot. This title probably indicates that he belonged to a Jewish sect that represented an extreme of Jewish nationalism. Jude is regarded as patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes. Simon is identified as a man of great religious zeal.
Like others, Simon and Jude responded generously to Jesus’ invitation to join him in his healing work and missionary endeavour. Jesus called them out of the crowd “to himself” (Lk 6,13) for a mission that would include founding or building his Church and dying one day for the faith. He drew them close to befriend them, to teach them and to train them for their mission. A disciple who remains close to Jesus will be sure to accomplish His will.
