By Fr. Joy Prakash, OFM.
Simon we know as a Zealot. For a long time, scholars thought that this referred to a violent group of people who opposed the Roman occupation through attacks and murder. But now scholars say that this group was active later than the time of Jesus. Now they say that Luke refers to Simon as a zealot simply because he was known for having a zealous personality. Much is lost in the mists of time and translation.
We know one thing for sure from the Gospel: Jesus chose these men to be his apostles. He chose others who may seem odd choices to our way of thinking. He chose a tax collector and the power-hungry brothers, James and John. Peter got things right sometimes, but most times his faith was weak. And he actually chose the man, Judas. who would, in the end, betray him to his enemies.
This is the point! Jesus chooses imperfect individuals to be his followers. Jesus did not (and does not) wait for perfect people to be his disciples. Jesus calls those who have a temper like Simon, those who are unassuming like Jude. He calls tax collectors and power-hungry people. He calls frail leaders like Peter. In short, like Sts. Simon and Jude, we follow Jesus, not because we are perfect, but because he calls us.
Jesus starts with a core of 12 extremely ordinary men. They were not wealthy, not especially well educated, had no background in travel and taking risks. Moreover, they were commissioned to preach a savior who had been crucified! And who then rose to new life! They were commissioned to preach what at the time was considered bizarre behavior—things like loving one’s enemies, doing good things for one’s persecutors, forgiving people who hurt you—and doing so over and over.
It never should have worked. By earthly standards, it never should have gotten off the ground. Yet here we are 2,000 years later. There’s no explanation—on earth. Even our historical mistakes, our sometimes terribly wrong decisions and policies, are a testimony to God’s presence among us because he has enabled the Church to go on in spite of them. On today’s feast of the apostles Saints Simon and Jude, it would be most appropriate to say thanks for the gift of membership in our community of faith.