Gospel in Art: Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Martyrdom of the Apostle Jude Thaddeus by the Master of the Winkler Epitaph, 1480's © Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 28 October 2025
Luke 6:12-19

In these days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate two apostles: Saints Simon and Jude. But let's focus on Saint Jude today. Saint Jude, one of the twelve apostles, is often called the patron saint of desperate or hopeless causes, but this title was not given lightly. In early Christian times, many avoided praying to him because his name was so similar to Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Christ. For centuries, Saint Jude was the forgotten apostle. Yet over time, those who did turn to him in faith began to report powerful intercessions, especially in situations that seemed beyond human help. His reputation as the saint of last resort grew from these countless testimonies of hope against all odds. In that sense, Saint Jude reminds us that no situation is ever truly lost. Mercy is always available from God.

In Christian iconography, Saint Jude is often depicted holding an image of Christ's face, a reminder of his closeness to Jesus, and carrying a flame above his head, symbolising his presence at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. In Mexico and across Latin America, this feast day is often intertwined with the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) traditions, especially through the pan de muerto, the "bread of the dead." This sweet, round loaf (often decorated with bone-shaped pieces of dough) symbolises both death and resurrection. Sharing pan de muerto is a way of remembering that life and death are part of one divine mystery, just as Saint Jude reminds us that hopelessness and redemption often meet. The bread's sweetness hints at the eternal joy awaiting beyond suffering, making it a fitting companion to the feast of the saint who never gives up on hope.

In the Martyrdom of the Apostle Jude Thaddeus, attributed to the Master of the Winkler Epitaph (ca. 1480s), we see Saint Jude at the moment of his violent death, surrounded by tension and drama. Jude kneels before an altar, his body recoiling under the force of the blow of a club, his face contorted in pain, yet still praying. From the altar above, a small sculptural figure is depicted as toppling, signifying the collapse of the old order that his martyrdom will bring about. The large golden halo around Jude contrasts with the darker tones of the executioner and other figures, emphasising his sanctity through martyrdom. The saint is surrounded by plants and plenty of snowdrops. In Christian iconography, the snowdrop is closely associated with the Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Purification (Candlemas, 2 February), which marks forty days after Christ's birth. According to legend, snowdrops first appeared when Mary and Joseph fled the Temple after presenting the infant Jesus, a sign that winter's darkness was giving way to the light of salvation. Thus they became symbols of the promise of renewal.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-6-12-19-2025-2/