Feast of Saint Matthias, apostle
(Acts 1:15-17.20-26; John 15:9-17)
The name Matthias has the same origin as the name
Matthew. It is derived from the Hebrew word
Matityahu meaning “gift of God.” St. Matthias was a gift of God in a
number of ways. Most importantly, he
preached the goods news of salvation from sin and death through faith in Jesus.
Matthias was selected specifically for this work not
randomly but through a discernment process. As the first reading relates, the
apostles took care to nominate two good men.
Then they left the final choice to the Lord by praying and accepting the
outcome of a random procedure.
The selection of Matthias shows the early Church in
operation. It is directed by Peter,
named by Jesus as head of the Church. It
also follows Jesus’ example of twelve leaders forming the bedrock of the
community.
Sometimes we hear that Paul or the apostles themselves founded the Church, not Jesus. Of course, Jesus most likely did not have a blueprint of the Vatican in his design. But he certainly spent time with his disciples explicating some plans for the community he was leaving behind. We need not question the authenticity of the Church. We should, like the apostles, discern and pray how we might best carry out its directives.
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