Today, 28<sup>th</sup> October, we celebrate the feast day of the first century Saints Simon and Jude. These two saints remind us to learn all we can about Jesus and to share it with others, as they did. They were ordinary men who were chosen by Jesus to teach others about God’s love and to make disciples of all nations. Their lives help us understand that even average people can become saints when they decide to follow Jesus.
Both Simon and Jude were also known by other names. Simon was often called the ‘Zealot’, a zealot being a person who was strongly committed to something and he firmly believed in the importance of following Jewish law.
After meeting Jesus life for Simon was changed as he became convinced that the most important thing was to follow Jesus and his teachings. Another reason Simon was nicknamed the ‘Zealot’ was to stop people confusing him with the other apostle Simon, the one Jesus called Peter.
Jude was also known as ‘Jude Thaddeus’ so he wouldn’t be confused with Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus. The only incident of note connected with Jude in the Gospels was at the Last Supper when Jude asked Jesus why he only revealed himself to the disciples and not to the whole world to which Jesus replied that he and his father would visit all those who love and obey him.
Jude is acknowledged today as the patron saint of hopeless causes, a saint that people can pray to when they find themselves in desperate or hopeless situations and when they feel there is no one else to turn to.
Both Simon and Jude travelled together in Persia to teach others about Jesus and because they had witnessed Jesus’ miracles many came to believe and were baptised. They both died as martyrs for their faith on the same day in Beirut.
We are called to remain steadfast in our faith, despite whatever doubts, challenges, difficulties, uncertainties or fears may face or trouble us. Simon and Jude stand as examples of saintly followers and apostles of Christ and they and the other apostles, along with many others who have followed Jesus and his teachings over the centuries, beckon us to also be part of the whole company of God’s saintly people and to be zealous about sharing and living the Gospel.
Fr Graham