TWO TOO

“At daybreak He called His disciples and selected twelve of them to be His apostles: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot.” –Luke 6:13-16

Jesus sent out His disciples two by two (Lk 10:1). When Jesus named the apostles, He listed them in twosomes (Lk 6:14ff; Mt 10:2ff). In Luke’s Gospel, Jude (short for Judas) is listed as the partner of “Judas Iscariot, who turned traitor” (Lk 6:16). In Matthew’s Gospel, Simon the Zealot is listed as Judas’ partner. Therefore, it’s quite possible that Jude and Simon were especially close to Judas. They may have sensed something missing in Judas’ relationship with Jesus. They may have suspected that Judas was a treasurer-thief, stealing from Jesus and the other apostles (see Jn 12:6). When Judas betrayed Christ and sold Him for thirty pieces of silver (Mt 26:14-15), what did Simon and Jude think? Did they feel guilty, deceived, depressed, or angry? When Judas committed suicide (see Mt 27:3-5), how did Simon and Jude take it? Did they feel even more guilt and confusion? In the upper room before Pentecost, how did Simon and Jude feel when Peter brought up the subject of Judas? (see Acts 1:16ff)

Throughout the history of the Church, Simon and Jude have become connected as partners, although never listed in the Bible as such. Possibly, Simon and Jude were partners in trauma, pain, and then healing. Possibly, this is why they can be partners as patrons of the impossible. Sts. Simon and Jude, pray for us.

PRAYER: Father, continue to do the impossible in my life.
PROMISE: “You are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God.” –Eph 2:19
PRAISE: Sts. Simon & Jude were both martyred by the Persians, having spread the gospel in Europe and Asia Minor.