The Feast of St Mathias, the Apostle

Acts 1:15-17.20-26 , Jn 15:9-17. Today we celebrate the Feast of one of the faithful friends of Jesus, St Matthias. He continued to follow Jesus from the moment of His baptism by John the Baptist at river Jordan till His ascension and for that he was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. Though Matthias came late to be listed among the Apostles, he fulfilled the essential requirement to be an eyewitness to the resurrection. Of the two candidates between whom the great decision was to be made, Matthias was noticeably placed second. Joseph, called Barsabbas was placed first place with the honourable Roman surname Justus – from the Latin word, “the righteous, or upright, one.”

The reality is that Jesus reveals things to the disciple who remains with Him as Mathias remained with Him and that of course, is our invitation: stay with Jesus, learning from the Lord who teaches us as a friend. Jesus is a friend who loves us just as His Father loves Him. In expressing His love for us, Jesus goes to any length: compassionate when we are in need, sick and hungry – He would not let the five thousand go from the deserted place, lest some may collapse on the way. Merciful and forgiving when we falter – He would not condemn the woman caught in adultery, instead encourages her to “sin no more.” He accompanies us when we are disappointed and depressed, downcast – walks beside us as on the way to Emmaus. Today, we are challenged to be compassionate, forgiving, merciful and be true companions of one another, just as He is to us.

May the Lord give us the grace to always be true friends to each other to the end unto eternity! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!