Word to the Wise
Friday, May 14, 2010 - Saint Matthias, Apostle
[Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 and John 15:9-17]It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.....[John]
The word, "apostle," comes from a Greek word that means, "to send." The words quoted from today's gospel scripture sum up the relationship between Jesus and the Twelve whom he personally chose and "sent." This group includes Judas! The horror at his betrayal shows in the text, and his name has become quite literally a synonym for a traitor! This is all understandable, but why is it necessary to elect someone to take his place? Later on, when Herod Agrippa executes James, the son of Zebedee, there is no effort to replace him. The best explanation is that the symbolic significance of the Twelve refers to Jesus' references to the apostles sitting on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel [Lk. 22:30], and Luke wishes to maintain that for the purposes of the story of Pentecost, where the Twelve receive the power that enables them to be sent. The criterion is not personal choice by Jesus, but presence in the group of disciples from the beginning of Jesus' ministry - continuity of witness and faith! Matthias is one of two who could have been chosen! The method was by "lots" (I doubt they flipped a coin, however!) That method does not appear to be in effect now, although one does occasionally wonder....... The "successors of the apostles," our bishops, whether they be elected as in most of the Eastern Church or appointed as in the Latin (Western) Church, draw their significance likewise not from the method of their selection but from their faith and continuity with Jesus' ministry. It is not an easy position to hold, even if there are personally satisfying pastoral moments as many bishops report. The endless meetings and public exposure require considerable stamina. There is an old joke that every bishop is warned at the beginning, "You'll never eat a bad meal again and no one will ever tell you the truth again." Like everyone else, bishops need to take care of themselves physically, spiritually and emotionally, and learn - often the hard way - that they will often be told what people think they want to hear, rather than the truth. Every man chosen to be a bishop deserves our prayers and support. We, in turn, must challenge them to be true "shepherds" and not "rulers." AMEN
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