Feasts of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Saint Paul wrote to his foundling community at Corinth that he was the “least of the apostles.” Yet the New Testament reveals more about Paul, his person, his missions, his struggles, and his writings than all of the others combined.
The word “least” may better apply to Simon & Jude. In the Synoptics (Mark, Matthew, Luke) these two apostles have the dishonor of being listed towards the bottom — just above Judas. But maybe we know more about them than we realize.
The Gospels record that Simon & Jude, along with the other ten, would have stayed with Jesus for three years (Luke), witnessed his miracles, heard his parables and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, noted his confrontations with the powers-that-be, gathered at the Last Supper, fled from Gethsemane, encountered the Risen Christ, and received the Holy Spirit by the very breath of the Lord (John). John (14:22) records the only words spoken by Jude in the long Last Supper discourse of that Gospel.
Although they are not mentioned by name, Revelation tells us that Simon & Jude eternally join the other ten on smaller thrones around the great throne of God in the heavenly throne room. Symbolically, they make up half of the 24 elders: the 12 patriarchs and the 12 apostles representing all salvation history surrounding God’s celestial throne.
Given today’s feast of two apostles, it is appropriate to ponder the words of the late Cardinal George of Chicago following the election of Benedict XVI in April, 2005. Standing on the balcony of St. Peter’s near the new Holy Father, as George told the Chicago Tribune,
“I was gazing over towards the Circus Maximus near the Palatine Hill where pagan emperors once resided and looked down on the persecuted Christians, and I thought, “Where are your successors? Where is the successor of Caesar Augustus? Where is the successor of Marcus Aurelius? But the successor of Peter — he is right next to me, smiling and waving and blessing the crowds.”
Through the intercession of Saints Simon & Jude let us pray for all those in servant leadership in the Church throughout the world. And let us give thanks in our prayer for the multitude of “unknowns” who have passed down the Gospel to us.
For being “obscure” on earth doesn’t mean being “obscure” in heaven.
—Timothy J. Cronin