The narrow gate of Sts Simon & Jude

Jesus called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose 12, whom he also named apostles: 

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, and Judas [Jude] the son of James, 

& Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 

-Luke 6:13–16

Two Mystery Bishops.

Jesus chose a variety of men to ignite His church. He was seeking a mix of cultures, ideologies and social classes to unite all peoples, backgrounds and experiences. Every Catholic bishop, priest, and deacon is a spiritual descendant of the 12 apostles. Little is known of these 2 saints because of these veiled verses: Matthew 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:13–16; Acts 1:13 and John 14:22. 

Beware of AI.

After a literature search, here are some breadcrumbs for the soul. However, you must decide what to believe--bon appetite! 

• "The Chosen" depicts Simon Peter and Matthew as enemies using fight club scenes, gambling and money conflicts. While great for ratings, it ignores the rockier relationship between a zealot and a tax collector. A zealot by definition is extremely sensitive to Jewish identity. This could imply a deadly anger toward Roman oppression and taxation, or the likes of St Matthew. Unless I missed an episode, surely, there would have been sparks between the extremes. Perhaps, the puroseful ignorance of these potential conflicts is a Biblical lesson for us is to avoid gossip.

• In the New Testament, Sts Matthew and Mark both labeled St Simon "the Cananean.” St Luke and Acts use Simon "the Zealot." “Cananean” appears not to represent the land of but leans toward the Aramaic translation of “zealous.” 

• A Zealot would know Jewish heritage, traditions and beliefs, and St Simon checks this box.

• In St Luke and Acts, St Jude is called "son of James.” Sts Matthew and Mark call him “Thaddeus.” 

• St John’s Last Suppe the Gospel talks about Jude as “Judas, not the Iscariot.” Here, Jesus says "goodbye" and asks them to pray, have courage and wait for the Holy Spirit. Jude is confused but insightful, “Master, what happened that you reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus's answer involves our free will and desire for Him. When God provides us with grace, we must accept the inspired gift of faith, be obedient to that faith and God's will and Divine union follows.

Modern Thinkers.

Two other Gospels mention Sts Simon and Jude as Jesus’ brothers. “Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas [Jude],” as found in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. Biblical scholars today, depict them as cousins as in those days, cousins were called brothers or sisters. Meanwhile, St Jude is thought to be the patron of hopeless causes for 2 reasons. 

• In 2006, at a general audience with Pope Benedict XVI, he pointed to the tradition that the Epistle of St Jude, despite heavy debate, was written by the Apostle. The Epistle is a short, passionate letter warning Christians against immorality and heresy. 

• St Jude shared a name with the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. As a last hope, after the intercession of every other Apostle and saint was sought, people turned to St Jude as a last resort. 

Which is better: the movie or the book?

Here is witnessed evidence of their miracles from Passion of Simon and Jude, allegedly written by one of the bishops they ordained. 

• In Persia, Sts Simon and Jude make enemies of 2 famed magicians holding Manichaeistic beliefs. The magicians blind 2 lawyers in a conflict and our saints restore their sight. The magicians' anger seeths over time which results in their later deaths.

• In Babylon, they confront King Xerxes' Gneral and silenced the priests' demons. They prophesized peace with India and distributed confiscated wealth to the poor. 

• Miracles are described including healings, exorcisms, taming of wild animals and even a baby is said to declare a deacon innocent of accusations. 

• Over time, 60,000 are baptized and clergy are ordained including Abdias their bishop. This bishop is credited with the manuscript which was translated from Hebrew to Greek to Latin. Further manuscripts from the 8th-13th centuries were translated into the Romance languages and English.

• In Persia, the 2 angry magicians force the apostles to sacrifice to sun and moon gods. Instead, they destroy the idols and are martyred while lightening kills the Persian magicians. King Xerxes honors them with a basilica.

• This manuscript was used for a 2020 film: The Spear of Destiny: The Passion of Saint Simon and Saint Jude

Two Heavenly Crowns.

In the year 65 AD, St Simon was believed to have been sawed in half. St Jude was believed to have been beaten with a club. This evolved from ancient art which depicts them each holding the instruments of their deaths. Other traditions state they preached in Beirut, Lebanon, Roman Britain, Egypt, and/or Samaria and died by arrows, crucifixion, and even a peaceful death.

Whether truth or legend, we honor these Apostles for building the early Church. As bishops, they bore the sacred responsibility of transferring the Sacraments and Magisterium. One day in heaven, we will know of all their pastoral ministry. Meanwhile, they used their lives to give glory to God while winning souls for Christ. Their combined feast day is October 28.

Sts Simon and Jude, you were both privileged to have Jesus in person.

After His Ascension, you received the Holy Spirit and were ordained as bishops.

God used you to go make disciples to the ends of the earth.

Please pray for us, that we understand our mission within the Body of Christ

and will fulfill our duties with diligence and love.

Sts Simon and Jude, pray for us.

Jesus, we trust in You.

Sources: 

Passion of Simon and Jude – NASSCAL

Simon and Jude Thaddeus | Catholic365

Sts Simon and Jude, Apostles | My Catholic Life!

The Spear of Destiny: the Passion of St Simon and St Jude | IMDb