Reflection on the Gospel of Luke 6:12-16

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

After several confrontations with Jesus, some scribes and Pharisees began to discuss what they might do to him. Jesus, himself is aware of their malicious intentions. So, he withdrew to the mountain to pray. He usually takes some time off to pray especially at critical points in his life. At this moment, he has a lot to pray about. His mission has produced mixed results. Although he has some disciples, but there are people who are plotting against him. He knows he would eventually be killed, but he wants his mission to continue long after he is gone. After spending all night communing with his Father in prayer, Jesus chose Twelve men  (Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot) from many of his disciples and called them apostles. An apostle is an authorized person sent on a mission, whereas a disciple is an apprentice, a student, one who is still learning from the master. His choice of Twelve was not random. It recalls the twelve sons of Jacob (Gen. 35:23-26), whose descendants formed the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen. 49:1, 28). 

Sisters and brothers, among the list of the twelve is an interesting man with an interesting character— Judas Iscariot. Today, his name has become synonymous with betrayal. People use his name to qualify someone who has betrayed a friend, a group or a nation. The moment you call someone “Judas” everyone understands what you are talking about. However, we should not forget that he was chosen to be an apostle by Jesus after spending a whole night in prayer. Although he became a traitor, but that is not how he started. Judas started well, unfortunately he did not end well. Before he was chosen to be an apostle, he was not an outsider. He was a disciple before he was elevated to the role of an apostle. 

Today, we celebrate the feast of two apostles— Simon who was called a Zealot and Jude. This Simon is called a Zealot in order to distinguish him from Simon Peter. Jude was previously called Judas but tradition changed it to Jude to avoid confusing him with Judas Iscariot. We don’t know much about these two Apostles apart from being known as close followers of Jesus. Simon was called a Zealot, that is a member of the Jewish nationalist party known for their rebellion against Roman rule in AD 66-70. Tradition has it that Jude was a Zealot as well. They were zealous for national sovereignty, and zealous for Jesus also. As the Lord’s disciples, we too are called to be zealous members of the household of God. Are you ready and willing to be zealous for Christ Jesus?