Saints Simon and Jude followed Jesus and introduced His gift of Redemption to many
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude (October 28, 2020): EPH 2:19-22; PS 19:2-3,4-5; LK 6:12-16
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
While the New Testament reveals almost no other information about either, tradition holds that these Apostles traveled together, possibly to Egypt and then to Persia where they offered their lives for their faith in Jesus...
Today St. Simon and St. Jude, two of the Apostles called by Jesus, are venerated. Simon is referred to as the Zealot or the Canaanite. This is probably to distinguish him from Simon Peter, the first among the Apostles. The term Zealot could associate him with a group that tried to disrupt the Roman takeover of the Jewish homeland; or it could simply describe him as one who shows great zeal in living his faith. The name of Jude or Jude Thaddeus is also meant to differentiate him from another – Judas Iscariot. While the New Testament reveals almost no other information about either, tradition holds that these Apostles traveled together, possibly to Egypt and then to Persia where they offered their lives for their faith in Jesus on the same day in 65 A.D. It is said that their bones were interred under the main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica in the 17th century. While the exact reason for the devotion is unknown, St. Jude has long been considered the patron of impossible, even lost, causes. For this reason he is one of the most popular saints even today.
In the first reading for this feast day’s Mass, St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians speaks of the unity of the Church in Christ. And it reminds us of the missionary efforts of the Apostles. “You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the capstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20). The loyal and courageous work of Saints Simon and Jude and their fellow Apostles gave the Church the vital start it needed to communicate the word of our Savior with people far and wide.
Suggested missionary action: Calling to mind the missionary efforts of Saints Simon and Jude, let us pray for the work of today’s missionaries and offer them material support through the Pontifical Mission Societies according to our ability.
