Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Matthias
It is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.
The twelve disciples, now apostles, were accompanied by others “the whole time” that Jesus walked with them through Galilee and Judea. Since most of our New Testament Scriptures refer only to the Twelve, it’s easy for me to forget about the others, who they were, what they gave up to follow Jesus, how they responded to the death of Jesus, and then his resurrection. But really, I most likely would have been one of them if I chose to follow Jesus, not one of the Twelve. The percentage is high.
So when Peter stood up in the midst of (us), and spoke about the betrayal of Judas and the need to replace him, I surely would have agreed that this was the right thing to do. Knowing Barsabbas and Matthias for months and years, struggling with hunger and cold together, being laughed at and shouted down, and finally horrified and inspired together when Jesus looked into the eyes of death without flinching, I would be ready for this day.
They proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.
Like the papal conclave, it didn’t take long to make a choice. Barsabbas knew he had not been defeated or looked down upon, because casting lots eliminated prejudice.
But still, I wonder how many of us would like to have been chosen as one of the final two. How many of us qualified? Could I have been chosen? Those questions fade away slowly, and only as grace rolls through me, reminding me that Jesus insisted that each of us must choose to be last. Life by dying was to be our chosen offering, the “drink offering” poured out after Jesus did everything for us. Jesus led the way into death, and then Jesus led the way into resurrection.
Surely he took up our pain
   and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
   stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
   he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
   and by his wounds we are healed.
And now? How can we pour out our thanks except through our own suffering? Watching the Eleven, and Matthias as he joins them, we all know how they might soon be killed themselves, even knowing the paradise awaiting their (our) arrival , the mansions Jesus prepared for them (for us).
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
   each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
   the iniquity of us all.
Perhaps some of us, impatient with this vale of tears, would invite the death of martyrdom. Time grinds us down day after day after day. Slow takes time, so long, requires so much effort. The nutcracker constantly presses down on me, inviting me to break.
Is this the suffering Jesus too went through? Does he go through it still, watching me and praying for me with blood and sweat and tears?
He did not open his mouth. As a sheep before its shearers, he was silent.
At that last Passover feast, Jesus wept and washed our feet. Soon he showed how much love would cost, how much it was costing him, and would cost us too.
I chose you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. No one has greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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