Apostles Who Should Encourage Us

Among the Apostles of Jesus are two, Simon and Jude, of whom little is known. They were not part of the inner circle so we can assume they were men who quietly got on with their work. But they were both given descriptive names to distinguish them from their better-known namesakes.

Simon the Zealot was not the Simon whom Jesus named Peter. There was at that time a fanatical Jewish sect called the Zealots but it is unlikely that Simon had any connection with them. He was named zealot because of his devotion to the Jewish law. Perhaps that is why Jesus chose him, knowing that he would be equally faithful and zealous in spreading the Gospel.

Along with the other disciples Simon received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As far as we know, his preaching took him to Egypt where he joined Jude. Together they went as missionaries to Persia where they worked and preached for some years before being martyred.

Jude is also known as “Judas, not Iscariot.” This was to make it quite clear who he was not! He was the brother of St. James the Less and therefore a kinsman of Jesus.

There is also a short letter attributed to Jude who describes himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James. Jude wrote his letter to motivate Christians everywhere to action. He wanted them to recognize the dangers of false teaching, to protect themselves and other believers, and to win back those who had already been deceived. Jude was writing against godless teachers who were saying that Christians could do as they please without fear of God’s punishment. This letter contains a warning against living a nominal Christian life. He is speaking to those who are in danger of forgetting all that they have been taught, and he warns us of the temptations we shall face. Look to the mercy of Jesus, he tells us, for He is the one who is able to keep us from falling (Jude 1:24).

One of the ways we can honour St. Jude today is on his feast day to read the Letter he wrote.

Jude has been adopted as the patron saint of hopeless causes. The reason for this is not known but we thank God that Jude is there to help people who are desperate and cannot turn to anyone else.

Simon and Jude remain in the background of the Gospels but like Peter or John were ordinary men, not wealthy, famous nor intellectual, yet chosen by Jesus to carry His message into the world. This is an encouraging thought for us all. Very few of us will do spectacular things for the Lord, but if we faithfully carry out the work He has given us we can be sure that we are doing our part in building up the kingdom of God. Let us ask Saints Simon and Jude to help us to do precisely this, and to be faithful disciples of Jesus.