Read Reflect Respond

Sundays | Feast Days |  Videos | Latest 

28th October 2022

Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude - Apostles

READ: (Eph 2: 19-22; Lk 6: 12-16)

REFLECT: apostleship has a mission, zeal and God’s merit…

Dear friends, today we celebrate the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, the apostles. We don’t have many references concerning them in the bible except in the list of twelve apostles called by Jesus. Both Simon and Jude were simple and ordinary men like the other chosen apostles to make known Christ to others by the love of God expressed in Jesus Christ and to make disciples of all nations in word and deed as ones chosen and called as apostles by Christ.

St. Simon is surnamed as a Canaanite (Matt 10:4; Mk 3:18) and Zealot (Lk 6: 15; Acts 1:13). It brings us to knowledge that he belonged to a Jewish sect that represented extreme of Jewish nationalism. The reason for Simon to mention with a surname could be to avoid people from being confused him with the other apostle named Simon, the one Jesus called Peter.  It is said that after the ascension of Jesus, St. Simon left Jerusalem and travelled to Egypt and to Persia and joined St.  Jude, where he was martyred. St. Simon, the Zealot is considered to be the patron saint of woodcutter, tanners and couriers.

St. Jude is surnamed as Thaddeus or Judas son of James; In the Gospel of Luke St. Jude is called as Thaddeus (Mk 3:18; Matt 10:3; Acts 1:13) or Judas son of James (Lk 6:16).  People used this formal title as Thaddeus or Judas son of James so that Jude was not confused with Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. We have a letter of Jude in the New Testament, which is attributed to the apostle Jude Thaddeus. It was written at the end of the first century. The letter of St. Jude denounces the false teachers who would bring about division and disunity. Therefore, the letter invites each one to build life on the foundation of holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, remaining firm in the love of God and welcoming the mercy of Christ that leads to eternal life.

There is also another place where the name Judas is mentioned in Jn 14:22. The reference clearly points out Judas is not Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus but a different person. While Jesus was speaking or teaching about the love commandment and its significance in relationship with his heavenly Father and Jesus in (Jn 14), Judas asks a question to Jesus, “Lord, how can it be that you will show yourself clearly to us and not to the world?” Jesus answers him in the following verses of (Jn 14:23ff) that it is by love that is shown to the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit and others. St. Jude is considered to be the patron saint of lost cases and desperate situations.

However, in comparison with other apostles in the Gospels, there is scarcity of references about St. Simon and Jude in the bible. However, the fact that their names are mentioned in the list of twelve apostles (Matt 10:2-4, Mk 3:16-19, Lk 6:14-16, Acts 1:1-13), chosen by Jesus give a clear cut picture of what were their roles and participation. The feast of Sts. Simon and Jude invites each one of us to realize their calling and connect the same with our calling as Christians, lay faithful, priests and religious. So I would I like to share with you three points of reflection as to how we can share and participate in the mission of Christ as apostles too have done in their life journey.

1.     Apostles have mission:

The word apostle is derived from Classical Greek (apostolos) meaning “one who is sent”.  The apostles are sent on behalf of Jesus, with the mission and power of Jesus. Therefore, the mission of every apostle is the mission of Jesus Christ, who called them to share in his mission and power. It is Jesus who called, chose and entitled them as apostles.  As apostles, they had a mission to teach, to preach and reach the world with the proclamation of the good news of Jesus and the goodness of Christ. Today we may not be able to include ourselves with the twelve apostles chosen by Christ, but at least we can resemble them in partaking of the mission of Christ and reaching out to people the good news of Christ. That shall be our tribute and contribution on the feast day of Sts. Simon and Jude.

2.     Apostleship is God’s merit:

Called to be an apostle is not our merit but God in and through Jesus Christ by the power of te Holy Spirit. Jesus called apostles in their own human situations and circumstances and entitled them as apostles to be sent on a mission. Jesus too calls many of us in our own human conditions and situations, limitations and strengths. We need to be ready and willing as Christians and followers of Christ to propagate the mission of Christ to all. As Jesus called the apostles, made them holy and worthy to preach the gospel without depending on human merit, culture, personality, effort, we shall also believe that God sanctifies us and  sends us on a mission of proclaiming good news to all. But nevertheless being called as apostles is not the merit of apostles but the merit, the gift and the  privilege of being called and chosen, made holy and worthy by Christ Jesus. So let us realize that it is entirely God’s gift and privilege all that we are and we have.

3.     Apostles have zeal:

What makes apostles ardent and zealous in the mission work entrusted by Christ is the power and grace of God, presence of Christ and the animation of the Holy Spirit. The twelve apostles life-history if we look at they have gone far and wide to proclaim the good news; they have been martyred for the sake of Christ and his message; they have been faced with lots of hurdles and difficulties, yet they have not given up the mission, but with a missionary zeal they have proclaimed good news, sowed the seeds of God’s word, where it has not been sown or spread. That’s the zeal of the apostles. What made them powerful witnesses or powerful proclaimers or zealous missionaries is the power and grace from above. They relied on God’s providence and fulfilled God’s plan. So today we too shall pray that we may obtain the power and grace from above to be zealous in our missionary endeavors like the apostles and proclaim Christ in every nook and corner of the world. Let our aim be to make known Christ, his words and deeds.

RESPOND:

Do we partake in the mission of Christ entrusted to the apostles and the church and make earnest efforts to make known Christ everywhere?

Do we consider the titles we obtained or have as merit, gift and privilege of Christ?

Do we have the missionary zeal like the apostles to proclaim the good news to all in the midst of difficulties or trials?

Let us draw inspiration from the apostles, who loved Christ, who lived Christ and who left indelible mark in following Christ and proclaiming Christ to all. Amen.

Wish you a happy feast. God bless us all.

Live Jesus