Word to the Wise
Monday, May 14, 2018 - May 14 - St. Matthias, Apostle
[Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 and John 15:9-17]MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018 ST. 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 to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.” [John] The Farewell Address takes place in the Gospel According to John after Judas has left the room [John 13:30]. Jesus speaks of his own initiative in choosing the apostles. One might wonder why he didn’t choose good old Matthias from the very beginning, but the story might not be the same. The method of choosing is definitely not the one used for picking his successors today. It could be an amusing scene at the Congregation for the Bishops to imagine that after praying, they throw dice to decide who gets a particular diocese! Why choose anyone at all to replace Judas? It appears that the Twelve considered themselves to be a kind of “New Israel” founded on the twelve tribes, and the symbol was important enough to keep that group at that number. Continuity with the experience of Jesus was important. Both Matthias and Joseph had been around for that time. So, they flipped a coin or threw dice or drew straws or some kind of “lots” and Matthias won. Every Sunday, we profess faith in a church that is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. The feast of St. Matthias reminds us of this continuity and of the many unusual ways God chooses people to proclaim the gospel, including us! AMEN
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