Message from the Lives of Saints Simon & Jude

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Thirtieth Week : Tuesday*

*Feast of Saints Simon & Jude: Apostles* 

*Gospel :  Luke 6:12-16*

*First Reading : Eph 2:19-22*

*Responsorial Psalm : 19:2-3,4-5*

*Message from the Lives of Saints Simon & Jude*

*1) Saint Simon*

He is also called Simon the Zealot, was likely known for his passionate devotion to the Jewish law and the hope of Israel’s restoration before following Christ. 

His zeal—once political or nationalistic—became transformed into a fiery zeal for the Gospel. 

He stands as an image of conversion and transformed passion, showing how God can redirect human intensity toward divine purpose.

*2) Saint Jude Thaddeus*

Sometimes called Judas Thaddeus to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, is known in Scripture as the one who asked Jesus at the Last Supper, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22). 

This question reveals a heart longing to understand the mystery of divine revelation. 

Later Christian devotion made him the patron saint of desperate and hopeless causes, perhaps because his name was so close to that of Judas Iscariot that people were initially hesitant to invoke him—until his intercession proved powerful in impossible situations.

*3) Missionary Journey* 

Tradition holds that Simon and Jude traveled together on missionary journeys, perhaps to Persia or Mesopotamia, where they were martyred for the faith. 

Their shared feast reflects the bond of apostolic fraternity—disciples sent out in pairs, supporting each other in faith and mission.

*4) Symbols and Images*

*Simon the Zealot* : *Saw, fish, boat, oar, book, cross*

The saw often represents his martyrdom (he is said to have been sawn in half); fish and boat symbolize his missionary work; book signifies his role in spreading the Gospel.

*Jude Thaddeus : Club, axe, flame above head, image of Christ, letter or scroll*

he club or axe recalls his martyrdom; the flame shows his presence at Pentecost; the image of Christ refers to the ancient legend that he carried an image of Jesus to King Abgar of Edessa, who was healed and converted. The letter points to the Epistle of Jude, a short but strong exhortation to faithfulness.

Together, their imagery speaks of mission, courage, and faith in the face of difficulty.

*5) Spiritual Reflections*

*A) Zeal and Faithfulness*: Simon reminds us that passion, when purified by love, becomes zeal for holiness. The Christian disciple is called not to apathy but to ardent charity.

*B) Hope in Despair*: Jude, patron of the hopeless, invites us to turn to Christ in situations that seem impossible. His intercession shows that no cause is beyond God’s mercy.

*C) Unity in Mission*: Their joint feast underlines the power of companionship in faith. The Gospel spreads most effectively when disciples work in love and unity.

*D) Witness in Silence*: Though little is recorded of their words, their lives themselves became the message. They embody the quiet strength of those who serve faithfully without acclaim.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*