Today we honor Simon and Jude, two Apostles about whom we know nothing, other than that Jesus chose them as Apostles.
The importance of the twelve Apostles is that Christianity was founded on twelve of them, just as Judaism was founded on the twelve sons of Jacob.
Judaism and Christianity were both established as a Chosen People, but not as two chosen peoples, but as basic elements in the one Chosen People, as we see them described in Revelation.
There they are united as the heavenly Jerusalem. Revelation, 21:12."It had a massive, high wall, where twelve angels were stationed, and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites." 14. "The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."
Judaism and Christianity’s unity as the one People of God is celebrated by our combining the Old Testament and the New in one Holy Book.
Much of the Old Testament had to do with customs and regulations whose importance ended with the passing of those ancient peoples. As Vatican II put it, much of the Old Testament is “Imperfect and provisional.”
We might also see them in the light of Ecclesiastes that states, “There is a time for everything.” The time for much of the Old Testament’s regulations has passed.
Still, we thank God for the beautiful passages he has communicated to us in Isaiah and the Psalms.