Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I chose you from the world
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last,
says the Lord. JN 15:16

ACTS 1:15-17,20-26 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The Church obeys Your commands and she directs, guides, and instructs all who belong to her to do the same. We can trust the Holy Spirit who abides in her and who guarantees that in all things concerning faith and morals she will never teach error. Her members, in all humility, must submit to her if we are to belong wholly to You. 

You handpicked the twelve who were to be Your Apostles and after the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot, Peter instructed the group of believers that they would have to choose one among them to take his place. Referring to the psalms he said that Scripture had to be fulfilled.

The Church continues to follow the practice that began in Apostolic times. The successor of Peter continues to appoint Bishops to shepherd the Church whose children are scattered all across the world. Two men who met all the required criteria were chosen, lots were cast, and the choice fell on Matthias, whose feast day we celebrate today.

We do not know much about the Apostle St. Matthias and no mention is made of him in the New Testament except that he was chosen to take the place of Judas Iscariot who betrayed You and hanged himself. But he was appointed as one of the Twelve Princes of the Church and he lay down his life for Your sake and for the sake of the Gospel.

What we do know is that he was considered worthy to be given this honor. We also know that he was a faithful disciple and was with You from the time of Your baptism by John the Baptist and until Your ascension into heaven. 

This is Your Church, Beloved, she is Your Spouse, and despite all that is not of Your Kingdom often takes place within her and many who have been appointed to safeguard those who dwell in her, betray that sacred trust, You will ensure that the gates of hell will never prevail against her. 

We have this confidence O Lord, that You will never permit anything or anyone within or without to cause her downfall. She is Yours. 

PSALM 113:1-8 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

We praise You today for Your Apostles who lay down their lives in order to preach the Good News. Because they were faithful to the mission that You entrusted to them the whole world now sings praises to our God. Their powerful witness, even to the shedding of their blood, gave rise to many new believers, and now praise, thanksgiving, and worship flow to the throne of God from the rising of the sun to its setting and to its rising again. Praise to You never ceases.

Someday, at the appointed hour, You will return in glory, and then heaven, the universe, and the earth will unite as one in eternal praise of our glorious and wondrous God. Until then we will trust those You appoint to shepherd Your Church. May they guide us wisely and faithfully and may we, in turn, be loyal to them, pray for them, and love and support them always.