Feast of St. Matthias

Feast of St. Matthias

Thursday, May 14
Daily Meditation 

“As the Father loves me, so I love you. 
Remain in my love.”
John 15: 9-12 

Today is the Feast of St. Matthias.  

In today’s first reading, through discussion and prayer, the Apostles choose Matthias to take Judas’ place as the 12th Apostle. We don’t hear any more about Matthias, but there is no doubt that, as one who had been following Jesus from the beginning, his sense of himself and his purpose matched Jesus’ address in today’s Gospel: It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed 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. Jesus is addressing not just the original Twelve but all disciples, which includes you and me. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to remain in his love by keeping his commandments so that they will know his joy, and their joy will be complete.  

St. Matthias serves as a poignant witness of remaining in Christ’s love and keeping his commandments through different life circumstances: discipleship, spreading the faith as Judas’ replacement among the Twelve, and dying as a martyr. Through it all, the constant was him following Jesus and remaining in his love.   

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus, 
Fill me with your Holy Spirit and make me fruitful in your love, mercy, kindness, and compassion. May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from your love and joy. 
Amen.