October 28 2024 - Sts. Simon and Jude - Zealotry and Hopeless Causes

 It is always good to reflect upon the importance and lasting impact of the Apostles.

In the Gospels, the apostle Simon was known as the Zealot. He may have been part of the political group of Jesus’ time called the Zealots who were planning to overthrow the Roman occupying force. Or he may have simply been zealous for God. In any case, Simon put aside any plans he had for himself to follow the Lord and to proclaim the kingdom of God.

St. Jude was a close relative and trusted friend of our Redeemer. Some ancient sources even speculate that Jude was the groom at the Wedding at Cana, though there is no scriptural evidence to support this. 

After the Ascension Jude took the Gospel to Mesopotamia (now known as Iraq), Libya, Persia and Turkey.

Legend has it that after winning thousands of converts, the pair of apostles were arrested in the Persian city of Suanir for refusing to offer pagan sacrifice in the temple of the sun and the moon. They explained that the sun and the moon were only creations of the one true God. They then cast out demons from the pagan idols  and two black, hideous evil spirits, began howling and blaspheming.  For exposing the idols as demons they were killed by an angry Persian mob. 

Devotion particularly to St. Jude endures to this day. It is said that among the saints whose heavenly help and intercession is sought by the faithful, second only to Our Lady, is the apostle St. Jude.  Even many non-Catholics venerate St. Jude as the patron saint of Hopeless Causes. 

The patron of hopeless causes is so popular because so many of our difficulties seem hopeless: the terminal illness, the seemingly endless cycle of addiction, the corruption of government leaders, the plights of the poor—they seem hopeless.

The Book of Jude in the New Testament is attributed to him. In it, he calls the faithful to a true Christian life of great devotion, one in which they hold fast to their faith no matter the consequences. He exhorts them to pray in the Spirit, that they might deepen their faith, hope, and love, and come to know God and His will. 

Let us learn from their examples and wisdom in turning away from earthly and selfish zealotry, in order to turn more deeply to the Lord. May we entrust our needs to them and imitate their constancy, courage, and faith, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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May Simon and Jude assist all bishops and priests to preach and witness to the fullness of the truth of the Christian Gospel.

May the holy apostles help all Christians to be strengthened in the faith, hope, and charity.

For the conversion of all who engage in false worship, for all unbelievers, and for Catholics who have fallen away from the faith, for those whose love of created things has eclipsed the love of the Creator.

That the sick, suffering, overburdened, and destitute, may know the help of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

For all who long to see the face of the Father, for all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

October 28 2022 - Sts. Simon and Jude - Political Zealots and Impossible Causes

 Much like our own day, in the time of the Lord’s public ministry, there were many different political parties and attitudes in the kingdom of Israel in the time of our Lord.  One of the groups was known as the Zealots.  Today, if someone called you a zealot it would mean that you had great passion for some subject or issue.  Well, the Zealots of the 1st century were passionate about their national and religious identity, and they wanted to overthrow the Roman government of their nation. The Zealots saw the Romans as this idolatrous, immoral, and oppressive occupying force that had no business in Israel, as God had given this land to the Jewish people, not to the Romans. 

Today, we celebrate two of the apostles, one of whom, Apostle Simon, was a member of the zealots. 

Peter, James, Andrew and John, abandoned their fishermen’s nets in order to follow the Lord. Matthew abandoned his lucrative career as a tax collector. And Simon gave up his political affiliations. Perhaps, Simon initially thought that Jesus was the Military-Messiah he and the rest of the zealots were hoping for. That Jesus would lead the Israel in a military uprising that would successfully overthrow its enemies once and for all. 

No doubt, very early on, it became clear to Simon, that Jesus had not come for this purpose—his kingdom is not of this world. He had not come to establish an earthly kingdom, but a spiritual one. And Simon, recognizing the superiority of the Christian Gospel--allowed Christ to change his life.

We do not know much more about the Apostle Simon, and we know even less about the apostle Jude, who shares a feast day with him. It is unclear if he Jude is the author of the New Testament Letter of Jude. 

Simon and Jude are celebrated together, perhaps due to the historical tradition that they preached the Gospel together in what is modern day Armenia and were martyred together. 

St. Jude is celebrated as the patron saint of impossible causes. Even this tradition has mysterious origins. It could be perhaps that even though Jude was martyred in Armenia, the Armenians did not initially convert to Christianity. Their conversion was thought by the Church to be impossible.  It took 250 years after the death of the apostles. But it did eventually happen: the impossible cause was granted through the intercession of the Apostle Jude.

So, if there is a real tough nut, a family member whose heart appears completely hardened to the faith, bring that family member daily to Saint Jude. Or, you may know someone who is zealous about politics but couldn’t care less about religion. They have passion and fire and anger. Those sentiments can be converted, they have been many times. So bring that family member daily in prayer to Saint Simon. St. Simon, your political zealotry was converted to zealous faith in Christ, convert my family member. 

These men were instrumental in the Gospel being spread to all corners of the world, and that mission continues, into the hearts of those hardened to the Gospel, those who hearts are a little misguided by attachment to worldliness and politics. Simon and Jude, pray for us, that the Gospel may be received in every place, in every heart, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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May Simon and Jude obtain courage for all bishops and priests to preach the fullness of the truth and teach authentic Christian doctrine.

May the holy apostles help all Christians to be strengthened in the faith, hope, and charity.

For the conversion of unbelievers, for Catholics who have fallen away from the faith; for the salvation of all men. 

On this special day of prayer and fasting for priests, that priests may be sustained in their labors by the example and intercession of the holy apostles.

That the sick, suffering, overburdened, and destitute, may know the help of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

For all who long to see the face of the Father, for all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

October 28 2019 - Apostles Simon and Jude - Preaching against Pagan Idols

It is always good to reflect upon the importance and significance of the Apostles and their mission.  Simon and Jude were chosen by our Lord as apostles to establish the Church throughout the world.
In the Gospels, Simon is called the Zealot. He may have been part of the political group of Jesus’ time called the Zealots who were planning to overthrow the Roman occupying force. Or he may have simply been zealous for God. In any case, Simon put aside any plans he had for himself to follow the Lord and to proclaim the kingdom of God.

St. Matthew tells us that St. Jude was the Lord’s “brethren” so, likely a close cousin of the Lord’s. Some ancient sources even speculate that Jude was the groom at the Wedding at Cana, though there is no scriptural evidence to support this. Jude is quoted in the Gospels of John—he asks the Lord at the Last Supper, ‘Master, what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling in him’” The Apostles’ certainly became bearers of God after Pentecost, filled with the presence of God, as the spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
It is not clear why Simon and Jude are celebrated together in the same feast. They are also mentioned together in the Canon of the first Eucharistic prayer. Perhaps, it is because they were said to have traveled together, preaching the Gospel throughout Mesopotamia and Persia.

Legend has it that after winning thousands of converts, they were arrested in the Persian city of Suanir for refusing to offer pagan sacrifice in the temple of the sun and the moon. They explained that the sun and the moon were only creations of the one true God. They then cast out demons from the pagan idols  and two black, hideous evil spirits, began howling and blaspheming.  For exposing the idols as demons they were killed by an angry Persian mob.

Simon and Jude perhaps ought to be invoked in our own day when many are returning to a sort of earth worship at the expense of authentic Christian faith.

As the Lord called Simon and Jude from their various walks of life to follow him, may our own plans become secondary to the call of the Lord. May their example grant us courage, and their prayers assist us in our call to holiness for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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May Simon and Jude obtain courage for all bishops and priests to preach the fullness of the truth and teach authentic Christian doctrine.

May the holy apostles help all Christians to be strengthened in the faith, hope, and charity.

For the conversion of all who engage in false worship, for all unbelievers, and for Catholics who have fallen away from the faith, for those whose love of created things has eclipsed the love of the Creator.

That the sick, suffering, overburdened, and destitute, may know the help of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

For all who long to see the face of the Father, for all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord