Most people delight in a garden full of flowers, which consists of various flowers, each with different colors, sizes, and shapes. Some flowers capture our attention more than others, while some escape our notice. However, this in no way diminishes their relevance or importance. Each flower has its own unique beauty and attraction.
Similarly, Jesus, in His ministry, chose twelve apostles. Just like the flowers in a garden, some apostles are more well-known, while others tend to escape our attention. However, their significance remains equal. Each apostle has their specialty and contribution to the mission of Christ.
Saint Simon and Jude
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of two such apostles, St. Jude and St. Simon. These apostles, often referred to as the "unknown apostles," may not always stand out, but their greatness before God and their importance in inspiring our lives are undeniable. Their presence in the New Testament is minimal—Simon appears only in the list of apostles, while Jude is mentioned just once more during Jesus' discourse after the Last Supper (John 14:22).
Matthew and Mark refer to Simon as the Canaanean, while Luke refers to him as the Zealot. Simon likely belonged to the Zealot party, a first-century political movement among the Judean Jews that sought to overthrow Roman rule. The Zealots were known for their aggression and refusal to submit to Roman authority, believing that only Yahweh should rule over Israel. Simon's selection as an apostle shows Jesus' ability to accept people with different mindsets, molding them into vessels fit for His Kingdom. Jesus doesn't reject us for our instincts or impulses but calls us to openness and transformation in His love.
Saint of Impossible Causes
As St. Jude is often sought in desperate and hopeless situations, he is also known as the "Miraculous Saint." Jude is one of today's most popular saints. Tradition holds that because his name is similar to Judas Iscariot, people initially hesitated to invoke him, except in dire cases, leading to his identification as the Patron Saint of Impossible Causes. St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernard had visions where God revealed St. Jude as the Patron of Desperate Situations.
St. Jude teaches us several lessons for our spiritual growth. First, like what his name, "Thaddeus," means, we are called to have a heart full of courage. The Kingdom of God requires brave soldiers who, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaim the Gospel and live out its values. St. Jude also encourages us to trust God's Providence and mercy deeply. Even in moments of desperation, we are reminded that there is a silver lining behind every dark cloud—or, in this case, the Son!
Just as there are hidden flowers in a garden, each with its beauty, St. Simon and St. Jude may seem hidden in the Gospels, but their lives inspire us to grow in love for God and His people. Their example calls us to spread the Gospel further. May the life and intercession of these two "hidden" yet great apostles encourage us to live faithfully and bring others closer to God.
- Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
