Today we celebrate the feast of one, who, no doubt, all of us has prayed to for one reason or another: St. Jude, the Apostle. Not much is known about Jude nor the exact reason why he is the patron of "hopeless cases." Some say that it is because he was such a comfort to those suffering persecution in the early days of Christianity in the first century – those who seemed most assaulted felt a great deal of soothing help from him! Others say, that because his name is so closely associated with Judas – who betrayed Jesus – he was always the last to be called on for intercessory powers that, nevertheless, always seemed to prove very helpful! And so, he got to be connected to last and lost causes!
Whatever the reason – trust in Jude's intercessory power proves fruitful for those who are constant and persistent in their requests!
Not much is known about St. Simon – other than he was not the Simon who later became Peter; and that he was a Zealot – his zeal may have been on behalf of Israel's independence or for the law. According to tradition, he engaged in missions to Egypt and Persia, where he and Jude were martyred together on the same day. Their relics were said to have been brought to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in the seventh or eighth century.
We rejoice today as we celebrate the feast of two martyrs who form the foundation of the house and household of God – with Jesus himself as the capstone. We rejoice too because due to our baptism and incorporation into Christ we too are living stones in this holy edifice. May we live like it this day – feeling the support of one another – and feeling ourselves supporting others as is our role as an integral part of the building of God!
As Jesus selected his chosen band of twelve - of whose number were Simon and Jude - after a night of prayer to his heavenly Father, may we also make informed decisions about what is important in our spiritual and temporal lives after long hours in silence and prayer.
Praying directly to God, through the Holy Spirit, and asking the intercession of the angels and saints – especially for difficult cases: St. Jude Thaddeus – may we arrive at a happy conclusion to our quest for that which is good, true and just – in the sight of God, and the sight of men!
The message of the Apostles goes out through all the earth!
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