Apostles Simon and Jude
Feast Day
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
There is very little information available about these apostles. It is likely that the nickname “Zealot” suggests that Simon was involved in anti-Roman activities before he became an apostle. Jude, the brother of James and also known as Thaddeus, inquired of Jesus after the Last Supper how Jesus could reveal himself as the Messiah to the world without resorting to force. Jesus responded that believers would recognize him because of his love.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
As we celebrate your apostles, Simon and Jude,
We remember how your Son could build his Church
on weak and fallible people
And make these its firm foundations.
We pray with your Son
That our faith may remain unshaken
In your Church and in those who lead it.
As they struggle and grope,
let your Spirit fill them
with his wisdom and his fire.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Now you are no longer strangers or guests, but fellow citizens of the holy people; you are of God’s household. You are the house,
whose foundations are the apostles and prophets, and whose cornerstone is Christ Jesus.
In him, the entire structure is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
In him, you too are being built to become a dwelling place for God.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (5a) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Judas, son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would later become the traitor.
Prayers of the Faithful
– For the pope, that he may lead the Church in faith, wisdom and mercy, we pray:
– For our bishops, that united with the pope they may see and attend to the great needs of the Church in our day, we pray:
– For those who are afraid to answer the call of God to follow Christ to serve the people of God, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
in the name of Jesus, your Son,
your ministers and people offer to you
the memorial of his death and resurrection.
Let us, sinful as we are, be your holy people,
that we may bear witness to your name
and be a believable sign to all
that your Son lives
and that you are our mighty God and Father,
now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Holy God and Father,
to us, your people on the way,
you have let your Son speak to us
his uplifting, inspiring word
and give us his food of strength.
Renew your Church in its leaders and members,
that we may live as we believe
and raise in our world a prophetic voice
that speaks with credibility
of justice, truth and unity.
May thus the world believe in your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
Jesus entrusts his own mission to weak and fallible human hands. “Entrusts,” for he trusts them enough. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can do God’s work. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
Luke 6:12-16
Chosen and sent on a mission
The feast of Saints Simon and Jude reminds us of the rather silent role these apostles played in the early Church. Though little is known about their lives, their mission was pivotal in spreading the Gospel, particularly to regions of Egypt and Persia. St. Jude, known as the patron saint of desperate cases, holds a special place in the hearts of those who feel lost, reminding us of God’s presence even in the darkest moments of life.
The Gospel for the day highlights three significant actions of Jesus: prayer, call, and mission. Before choosing the twelve apostles, Jesus retreats to the mountain and spends the entire night in prayer. For Jesus, prayer was about deep communion with the Father, ensuring that his actions aligned perfectly with the Father’s will.
The Lord himself sets an example of prayer and reminds us that in today’s busy world, where distractions abound, prayer in discerning God’s will is ever more essential as our grounding force. After this night of prayer, Jesus calls his apostles—ordinary men chosen for an extraordinary mission. This act of calling emphasises that apostleship is not something achieved through personal merits but a grace bestowed by God. Just as Simon and Jude were sent to the peripheries of their time, we too are called to engage with the marginalised and bring the light of the Gospel to those in despair.
In contemporary times, the Church continues its mission amidst global crises, from environmental degradation to wars and the plight of refugees. In a world of lost causes, we can invoke the intercession of St. Jude, trusting that God can work through us to bring hope where it seems impossible. Just as the apostles were sent forth, we are commissioned today to live out our faith actively, grounded in prayer, called by Christ, and sent on a mission to heal and transform the world.