Simon and Jude, Apostles
Simon and Jude were named among the twelve apostles in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Simon is called ‘the Zealot’, probably because he belonged to a nationalist resistance movement opposing the Roman occupation forces. There is no indication in the gospels whether Simon moved from the Zealot party to be a follower of Christ or, on the other hand, if he became a supporter of that group after the resurrection, seeing it as a response to God’s call to proclaim the kingdom.
Luke describes Jude as the son of James, while the Letter of Jude has him as the brother of James, neither of which negates the other. It seems he is the same person as Thaddæus, which may have been a last name. Owing to the similarity of his name to that of Judas Iscariot, Jude was rarely invoked in prayer and it is likely that because of this, interceding through him was seen as a final resort when all else failed. He became known, therefore, as the patron saint of lost causes.
The two apostles are joined together on 28 October because a church which had recently acquired their relics was dedicated to their memory in Rome on this day in the seventh century.
Note: the following are simply a compilation of ideas from various sources – don’t feel you need to use all of them each day! (List of sources at the bottom of the post).
Daily Readings (Morning Prayer)
- Psalms 116, 117
- Wisdom 5.1–16 or Isaiah 45.18–end
- Luke 6.12–end
In our Benefice (Week 2) For all who live, work or study in:
- Banbury Road
- Fairfield Home
- North Oxford Overseas Centre
- St Clare’s School
- School of Anthropology & Museum Ethnography
- University IT services
- Department of Engineering Science
In our Deanery (Week 2): We pray for the parish, life and mission of:
In our Diocese: The Ladygrove Church, Didcot: Rachel Ciampoli – Associate Minister, Stewart Hartley. For our children and families work, which is in transition at the moment; for God to lead us through an appointment process with wisdom, considering a wide range of hopes, needs and challenges. For continued cultivation of discipleship as God brings us deeper into relationship with Him, one another, and the surrounding community.
Christian Aid: Give thanks for the fundraisers, big and small, who make Christian Aid’s work possible (learn more).
Cycle of Intercession: Wednesday (from Common Worship: Daily Prayer)
- The social services
- All who work in the criminal justice system
- Victims and perpetrators of crime
- The work of aid agencies throughout the world
- Those living in poverty or under oppression
Collect for Ss Simon & Jude:
Almighty God,
who built your Church upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets,
with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:
so join us together in unity of spirit by their doctrine,
that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
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List of sources:
- Benefice Prayer Diary
- Oxford Diocese Prayer Diary
- Christian Aid Prayer Diary
- Calendar, Lectionary, Collects and Cycle of Intercession from Common Worship
- Biographies from Exciting Holiness
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