Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
(Ephesians 2:19-22; Luke 6:12-16)
“Simon” and “Jude” are the last names to appear on the register
of apostles in Luke’s gospel except, of course, that of Judas, the betrayer. It is said that St. Jude is called the “patron
of hopeless causes” because his name appears so low on this list. Whatever the reason, St. Jude has been
elevated in the popular mind to a kind of preeminence. There are probably more statues and medals of
him than of any other apostle.
Although the elevation may be only an accident of history,
it is not unlike the gospel to have the lowly lifted up. Mary proclaims God’s action on her behalf in
this way after Elizabeth greets her as “mother of my Lord.” Jesus also praises the poor widow who puts two
small coins into the Temple treasury as contributing more than anyone else.
The lifting up of the lowly is not to say that we should
strive for popularity. Craving “thumbs
up” on social media is not what the gospel calls important. What the gospel proclaims and what Saints
Simon and Jude preached is that Jesus came to save everyone from sinful
folly. The rich no less than the poor,
the wicked no less than the virtuous need his redemption. All must accept Jesus’ help to reform their
lives and live as God’s children.
