Feast of Saints Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddaeus : Called by Jesus, United in Mission, Faithful unto the End

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season  : 30th Week:  Wednesday*

*Gospel :  Luke 6:12-19*

*First Reading : Ephesians 2:19-22*

*Responsorial Psalm : 19: 2-5*

*Feast of Saints Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddaeus : Called by Jesus, United in Mission, Faithful unto the End*

*1) What is the speciality of Saints Simon and Jude?*

The Church celebrates the feast of Saints Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddaeus on 28 October. Both were chosen by Jesus as apostles and became witnesses to his life, death and Resurrection.

*St Simon the Zealot* : Simon is called the Zealot. This title suggests his zeal or fervour. Some associate it with a Jewish movement known as the Zealots, but we cannot be certain of his precise background. What is clear is that Jesus called him to become one of his apostles.

*St Jude Thaddaeus* : Jude Thaddaeus is remembered as a faithful apostle and is widely venerated as the patron saint of difficult and desperate cases. In John 14:22, he asks Jesus why he will reveal himself to the disciples and not to the world.

*2) Uniqueness of these two saints*

*A) They were chosen personally by Jesus* : Luke 6:12–13 tells us that Jesus spent the whole night in prayer before choosing his twelve apostles. Simon and Jude were among those chosen. They were not chosen because they were perfect, powerful or famous. They were chosen to be with Jesus and to participate in his mission.

*B) They belonged to the same apostolic team despite their differences* : Simon was known as the Zealot, while Jude had his own personality and background. Jesus brought people of different temperaments and experiences together to form one community of disciples. Their unity reminds us that the Church is not a gathering of people who are all alike. It is a community of people who learn to walk together because they belong to Christ.

*C) They were faithful witnesses of Christ* : The apostles were called not merely to listen to Jesus but to proclaim his Gospel. Christian tradition remembers Simon and Jude as missionaries who gave their lives in witness to Christ. The precise details of their missionary journeys and martyrdom are not firmly established historically.

*D) They teach us that holiness is faithfulness to our calling* : We know much less about the personal lives of Simon and Jude than we know about Peter, John or Paul. Yet the Church honours them as great saints. Their lives remind us that we do not have to be famous to be faithful. We need to fulfil the mission entrusted to us by God.

*3) Main message* 

*A) St Simon teaches us to direct our zeal towards God* : Simon was called the Zealot. Whatever his precise background, his name invites us to reflect on the importance of zeal.

Every person has enthusiasm for something. Some are zealous about their careers, money, political opinions, social status or personal achievements. But how many are zealous about prayer, justice, truth and the service of others?

Simon reminds us that our enthusiasm and energy must be directed towards the things of God.

- We must be zealous in defending the poor, not merely our own interests.

- We must be zealous in promoting peace, not in spreading hatred.

- We must be zealous in correcting injustice, not in taking revenge.

- We must be zealous in our faith, not merely in religious arguments.

*B) St Jude teaches us never to lose hope* : St Jude Thaddaeus is popularly invoked as the patron saint of difficult and desperate cases. His devotion reminds people to turn to God when human solutions seem exhausted.

Sometimes life brings situations that appear impossible. A family may struggle with serious illness, financial difficulties, broken relationships, unemployment or the loss of a loved one. When everything seems to be falling apart, we may be tempted to say, “There is no way out.”

St Jude reminds us to continue trusting God. Christian hope does not mean that every problem will disappear immediately. It means that even when we cannot see a solution, we continue to believe that God has not abandoned us.

- When prayer seems unanswered, continue praying.

- When life becomes difficult, continue doing what is right.

- When people disappoint you, do not give up loving them.

- When you fall into sin, return to God through repentance.

- When the future is uncertain, entrust it to God's loving providence.

*C) Both saints teach us the power of unity*

Jesus chose twelve apostles from different backgrounds and personalities. Among them were Simon the Zealot and Matthew, the tax collector. Their backgrounds suggest very different experiences of the society of their time.

Yet Jesus called them to belong to one apostolic community. This is a powerful message for our families, parishes, religious communities and society.

We may differ in opinions, languages, cultures, political views, abilities and temperaments. These differences need not divide us. When Christ becomes the centre of our lives, our differences can become opportunities to learn from one another.

*4)  Jesus chose ordinary people for an extraordinary mission* 

The Gospel simply records the names of the Twelve. Simon and Jude are not given long biographies or many recorded speeches. Yet both became part of the foundation of the Church. This gives us a beautiful message: God can accomplish great things through ordinary people who are willing to cooperate with his grace.

We sometimes think:

- “I am not educated enough.”

- “I do not have the talent to preach.”

- “I am too old to do something meaningful.”

- “I am not important enough in the Church.”

- “Nobody recognises my contribution.”

But the value of a person is not measured by popularity or public recognition. A mother who patiently cares for her family, a father who works honestly, a young person who helps the needy, a catechist who teaches children, and a parishioner who quietly visits the sick can all become instruments of God's love.

*5) Jesus went down with the apostles and encountered the suffering people* 

After choosing the Twelve, Jesus came down and stood on a level place. A great crowd gathered to hear him and to be healed of their diseases (Luke 6:17–19). This movement is significant. Jesus prayed on the mountain, chose his apostles, and then went towards the people who were suffering. It offers us a model of Christian discipleship:

*Prayer must lead us to service.* : Our prayer is incomplete if it does not make us more compassionate. Our devotion is incomplete if we remain indifferent to the suffering around us.

- After praying, can we visit someone who is lonely?

- After attending Mass, can we forgive someone who has hurt us?

- After receiving Holy Communion, can we become more generous?

- After reading the Gospel, can we help someone who is struggling?

- After asking God for blessings, can we become a blessing to others?

Jesus did not choose the apostles merely to give them a privileged position. He chose them to share in his mission.

*6) We may be ordinary, but our mission is extraordinary*

We may not know all the details of Simon and Jude's daily activities, their struggles or their conversations with Jesus. But we know that Jesus chose them.

Perhaps we too are like Simon and Jude. We do our work, fulfil our responsibilities, help others and pray, but much of what we do goes unnoticed.

A person may spend years caring for an elderly parent without receiving public appreciation. A priest may serve a parish without everyone recognising his efforts. A teacher may quietly influence generations of children. A parishioner may faithfully serve the Church without holding any prominent position.

The world often remembers the famous, the wealthy and the powerful. God also sees the quiet acts of love that never make headlines.

The lives of Saints Simon and Jude remind us that we do not need to be famous to be faithful, and we do not need to be powerful to make a difference. Our task is not to become famous disciples but to become faithful disciples.

*7) Three words to remember*

On the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, let us remember three words:

- *ZEAL* : Put your whole heart into doing what is good.

- *HOPE* : Never allow difficulties to destroy your trust in God.

- *MISSION* : Let your faith become a blessing to others.

Simon teaches us to be zealous in our commitment to God. Jude reminds us to hold on to hope. Together, they remind us that Jesus calls ordinary people to participate in his extraordinary mission.

*8) Questions for personal reflection*

1. What am I most passionate about in life? Is my zeal directed towards God and the good of others?

2. When I face an impossible situation, do I surrender to despair or continue trusting God?

3. Can I accept people who think differently from me?

4. Do I make important decisions prayerfully?

5. Am I willing to serve God even when nobody appreciates my contribution?

6. Does my faith lead me to help people who are suffering?

God does not ask us to do extraordinary things every day. He asks us to do ordinary things with extraordinary faith, hope and love.

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*