Today we celebrate Saints Simon and Jude, two apostles about whom the Gospels tell us very little. But in today’s Gospel, we are given something very important about them.
Before Jesus chose the Twelve Apostles, including Simon and Jude, Luke tells us that Jesus went up the mountain and spent the whole night in prayer.
Before Simon and Jude became apostles, Jesus prayed.
Before they were sent on mission, Jesus prayed.
Before their names became part of the foundation of the Church, Jesus prayed.
And that gives us one simple lesson today: Pray before you decide.
Many of us do the opposite. We decide first, and then we pray: “Lord, this is my decision. Please bless it.”
We make our plans, choose what we want, and afterward ask God to approve them.
But Jesus shows us a different way. Before one of the most important decisions of His ministry, He stopped. He became silent. He prayed.
Prayer is not simply asking God to bless what I want. Prayer is allowing God to show me what He wants.
And look at Saints Simon and Jude. They were probably not the people the world would have considered important. Simon is identified simply as “the Zealot,” and Jude as “the son of James.” They were not famous or powerful. Yet after a night of prayer, Jesus called their names. “Simon… Judas…”
Their vocation began not with their own plans, but with God’s call. And that is why their feast speaks to us today.
We all have decisions to make. Decisions about family, relationships, work, vocation, forgiveness, and the direction of our lives. Sometimes we immediately ask other people. We ask Google. We ask Facebook. Now we can even ask AI!
There is nothing wrong with seeking advice. But before all these, perhaps we should first ask: “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Jesus spent the whole night in prayer. Some answers need silence. Some decisions need patience. Some directions become clear only when we remain long enough in God’s presence.
Saints Simon and Jude eventually went out as apostles and gave themselves to the mission of Christ. But before they went out, they were first chosen in prayer.
That is the beautiful message of their feast: A life given to God begins by listening to God.
So when you have an important decision to make, remember Saints Simon and Jude. Remember that night on the mountain.
And instead of saying, “Lord, bless what I have decided,”
let us learn to pray: “Lord, help me decide what You can bless.”
Saints Simon and Jude, pray for us.