Our apostles this night are better known as the ones who are not rather than the ones who are. This evening, we celebrate the Feast of St Simon and St Jude. Simon is not Simon Peter, Jesus’ best friend, if you like, the one on which Jesus built his church, the flawed one who misunderstood and panicked and on that dreadful day denied Jesus three times, just when Jesus needed him most. The one who Jesus forgave in such a beautiful way by asking three times if he loved him, to wash away those three denials. Our Simon, Simon the Zealot is not this famous Peter, he is just another Simon, who nonetheless, Jesus chose.

He is trying to cut a deal. A deal in which he will earn eternal life. He is a good man, this man who runs up and kneels before Jesus. He senses that Jesus knows the way to eternal life. His longing for this life and his sense of the holiness of Jesus are clear. He is not like the religious leaders who try to trap Jesus. He is sincere. But he wants to cut a deal. What must I do? What actions and commitments of mine will give me, in exchange, eternal life?