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Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Luke 6:12–16
During the Second World War, there was a Polish fighter squadron that became famous in the Battle of Britain.
It was Squadron No. 303.
Many of its pilots did not come from important families.
Some came from poor backgrounds.
Some had difficult beginnings.
Some did not look like the kind of people who would one day become heroes.
But in the hour of battle, they became courageous, skillful, and faithful to their mission.
This helps us understand something about today’s Gospel.
Jesus chooses the Twelve Apostles.
But before He chooses them, Saint Luke tells us something important.
Jesus goes up the mountain and spends the whole night in prayer.
The choice of the apostles does not begin with human planning.
It begins in prayer.
It begins in the communion between Jesus and the Father.
Then, in the morning, Jesus calls His disciples and chooses twelve of them.
And we may ask:
Why these twelve?
Why not others?
Were they the best?
The most educated?
The most reliable?
The most impressive?
The Gospel does not say that.
In fact, when we read their story, we see many weaknesses.
They misunderstand Jesus.
They argue among themselves.
They are afraid.
They run away.
One betrays Him.
Another denies Him.
And yet, Jesus chooses them.
This is the mystery of God’s call.
God does not always choose the most impressive people.
He does not wait until someone is perfect.
He calls ordinary people.
He calls weak people.
He calls people who still need to be changed.
And by His grace, He makes them witnesses.
Today the Church celebrates Saint Simon and Saint Jude.
We do not know much about them.
They appear near the end of the list of apostles.
They do not stand out like Peter, John, or Paul.
They are quiet names in the Gospel.
But they were chosen.
They walked with Jesus.
They listened to His words.
They saw His works.
They witnessed His death and His resurrection.
They received the Holy Spirit.
And they were sent to preach the Gospel.
According to tradition, both gave their lives for Christ.
That is enough.
They may not have been famous in the world’s eyes.
But they were faithful.
And in the Kingdom of God, faithfulness matters more than fame.
This is good news for us.
Many of us feel ordinary.
We may think:
I am not strong enough.
I am not holy enough.
I do not know enough.
I am not important.
But Jesus does not call us because we are already complete.
He calls us so that we may walk with Him, be changed by Him, and become witnesses of His love.
The Church is built not only on great names, but also on hidden faithfulness.
On people who pray.
People who serve.
People who forgive.
People who remain faithful when no one notices.
Saint Simon and Saint Jude remind us that no disciple is insignificant when chosen by Christ.
Today, let us ask for their intercession.
Saint Simon and Saint Jude, pray for us.
Teach us to be faithful, even when we are hidden.
Teach us to follow Christ, even when we feel weak.
And help us believe that those whom Jesus chooses, He also strengthens and sends.
Biblical Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition,
copyright © 1989, 1993
the Division of Christian Education of the National Council
of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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© 2025 Krakus.
Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
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