Today is the Feast Day of St. Simon, the Zealot and St. Jude (Thaddeus)
May today’s feast day inspire us to a deeper call to holiness. Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddaeus started from different places, but found a united passion in serving Jesus Christ. Their lives are a model for us as we walk the path—may they be encouraging models of faith for us today.
Simon came from the Zealot movement, fighting Roman rule. But encountering Jesus reshaped his zeal into spreading the Gospel far and wide. Jude, patron of lost causes, also transformed from earthly struggles to championing Christian teachings.
In their journeys, both apostles embodied what Paul called being "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor 4:1). Shifting from worldly concerns, they became devoted to sharing the heavenly wisdom they received.
When Paul spoke of being "fools for Christ," he meant caring more about faith than earthly status. Both Simon and Jude exemplified this. They traded worldly wisdom for the spiritual wisdom that comes from following Jesus wholeheartedly. What some might see as foolish became great wisdom in God's eyes.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen. Jude 1:24
St. Augustine saw the apostles as conduits of God's grace for us all. The apostles, by virtue of their direct commission from Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were empowered to articulate and disseminate the teachings of Christ. Through their words, actions, and the communities they founded, they bring people into an encounter with Christ, thereby becoming avenues through which grace flows. Simon and Jude took their newfound zeal and channeled it into spreading the Good News far and wide. They endured anything to follow Christ, even embracing the role of a faithful "fool."
St. Simon and Jude, pray for us! May you help us focus our own passions on what matters most - serving Christ with abandon and sharing God's love generously. May we too find the wisdom that comes from pursuing Christ above all else.
Today’s Mass Collect
O God, who by the blessed Apostles have brought us to acknowledge your name, graciously grant, through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude, that the Church may constantly grow by increase of the peoples who believe in you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.