Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Today we celebrate the feast of the Apostle Matthias. St. Matthias is unique in that he was not listed among the original Twelve. Rather, he was chosen to fill the spot among the Twelve left vacant when Judas Iscariot chose to betray the Lord with a kiss. The first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, recounts this choice. The disciples (about 120 in number) picked two men who had been with them from the beginning, Joseph called Barsabbas, and Matthias. Then they prayed that God would make known to them which of the two God had chosen to fill the place of Judas. They then cast lots and the choice fell on Matthias, and so he is forever remembered as one of the Twelve Apostles. Accounts of his later life indicate that he did live a life of evangelization like the other Apostles, but the accounts of his adventures are mixed. For example, one account indicates he was stoned and beheaded, while another account says he died of old age.
The point for us to remember is that each of us has also been chosen by God, to live and to serve him. As St. Paul writes in the Letter to the Ephesians (1:4): “God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.” Each of us is known, chosen, and loved by God.
Reflection by Fr. Aquinas Keusenkothen, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections