ST. MATTHIAS, APOSTLE

They proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, and Matthias.

" Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,

– The Man Who Replaced A Traitor and he was counted with the eleven apostles."

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

It was during this time

That Peter stood up in the midst of the community – about one hundred and twenty in all –   and he said,  “Brothers, it was necessary that the Scriptures referring to Judas be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit had spoken through David about the one who would lead the crowd coming to arrest Jesus.  He was one of our number and had been called to share our common ministry.

 In the book of Psalms it is written: Let his house become deserted and may no one live in it. But it is also written: May another take his office.   Therefore we must choose someone from among those who were with us during all the time that the Lord Jesus moved about with us,   beginning with John’s baptism until the day when Jesus was taken away from us. One of these has to become, with us, a witness to his resurrection.”

 Then they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Mat­thias.   They prayed: “You know, Lord, what is in the hearts of all. Show us, therefore, which of the two you have chosen   to replace Judas in this apostolic ministry which he deserted to go to the place he deserved.”

Then they drew lots between the two and the choice fell on Matthias who was added to the eleven apostles.

 

Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

 

 ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊ 

John 15:9-17

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love.  You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

 I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.   This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.   There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends;   and you are my friends if you do what I command you.

 I shall not call you servants any more, be­cause servants do not know what their mas­ter is about. Instead I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.

You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

This is my command, that you love one another.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Remembering Justus & Matthias

Here are two men who qualified to fill in the vacancy left by Judas Iscariot in the college of apostles: Barsabbas and Matthias. Both of them were equally qualified. But ultimately, Matthias was chosen. What happened to Barsabbas?

How would he have felt at his non-selection? Given the order of the mention of names and the length of description, you cannot but doubt that Barsabbas had greater popularity – “Joseph called Barsabbas, also known as Justus” (=the just one).

But as always, God chose the second in line, who was simply mentioned by Peter as “and Matthias.” [As per tradition, Barsabbas later became Bishop of Eleutheropolis, died a martyr, and is venerated as St. Justus of Eleutheropolis.] The choice of one over the other is no rejection of the latter; it is simply that God has his plans for each one.

Whatever be the position assigned to us, it never robes us of doing the most important work: keep on loving.