Saint Matthias, Apostle

Title

Jesus is Present in His Church

Outline

Where is Jesus? Some may ask

It is true that they do not see him nor his Father

His appearance is far rarer than that of his Blessed Mother and she mostly appears to believers

If you want to find Jesus, you must look in his Church

We start with the chain of love

The Father and the Son are joined in a mutual seeking the good of the other which means that the Son carefully follows the instructions of the Father, for that is the Father’s good

We, members of the Son’s body, remain in a love union with the Son as we carefully follow his instructions - too many Christians write off his teaching as idealistic and do so to their own hurt.

The Son’s instruction is to extend the union of love to “one another,” even to the extent of laying down our lives for one another. This makes the body one, of course.

Finally, this union with the Son produces friendship, one mind, one heart (as in ancient writers). We are chosen as friends of God and we are chosen to be fruitful as God is fruitful. Therefore what we ask out of this unity of heart and mind, the Father will give, for it is his will.

As in many things in John, it sounds so simple, but demands total devotion.

Acts shows this working out in practice

The Jesus-followers were gathered worshipping (including repeating the Last Supper command) and praying precisely as Jesus instructed. They may also have been participating in the Temple prayers. They are awaiting the next instruction.

But Peter, reflecting upon Scripture, perhaps after a set of Temple prayers, realizes that there is a hole in the inner company. There are not Twelve. And God willed that the hole be filled, the number be restored to Twelve, before the next instruction.

Since the Twelve were to be official delegates and witnesses to Jesus, they asked who might be eligible, and they find not one but two.

They do not seek further qualifications - who is more outgoing, who has the best speaking voice, who is most dignified in his bearing, etc. - they ask God to choose, for he knows hearts and his plans. God, of course, grants their request, for their hearts and minds and loves were one with his. Thus we get Matthias. We do not have to ask about his past or his background, for he has been as chosen by Jesus as the other eleven, just at a different time.

Sisters, this is what we are striving towards

We want prayers answered. We want to do the will of God. We want joy. Oh, yes, but all this is a result of being one with God.

We need to take our places in the chain of love and following the will of God, which makes us one with the Father and the Son.

This means that we are constantly seeking the good of the other, the unity of the body, always willing to lay down our lives for one another. Then the Father takes us into his counsel as he did so many of the saints, fulfills our requests because they are his will and his love, and his fruit is born in the world.

Sisters, that is why the Evil One sows discord in the Church, group against group. That is why the Evil One tries to sow discord in this Priory and Order and in the Presbyterate of which I am a part. That is much more effective that frontal persecution that might pull Christians together to act as the one body of Christ.

And that is why Jesus says, “This I command you, to love, to seek the good of, one another.” That is the path to joy and to friendship with God.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 5-14-2022: Saint Matthias, Apostle

FIRST READING

Acts 1:15–17, 20–26

15 During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, 16 “My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry.

20 For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

‘Let his encampment become desolate,

and may no one dwell in it.’

And:

‘May another take his office.’

21 Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” 26  Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

Catholic Daily Readings 5-14-2022: Saint Matthias, Apostle

RESPONSE

Option A

Psalm 113:8

8 Seats them with princes,

the princes of the people,

Catholic Daily Readings 5-14-2022: Saint Matthias, Apostle

PSALM

Psalm 113:1–8

1 Hallelujah!

Praise, you servants of the LORD,

praise the name of the LORD.

2 Blessed be the name of the LORD

both now and forever.

3 From the rising of the sun to its setting

let the name of the LORD be praised.

4 High above all nations is the LORD;

above the heavens his glory.

5 Who is like the LORD our God,

enthroned on high,

6 looking down on heaven and earth?

7 He raises the needy from the dust,

lifts the poor from the ash heap,

8 Seats them with princes,

the princes of the people,

Catholic Daily Readings 5-14-2022: Saint Matthias, Apostle

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

John 15:16

16 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.

GOSPEL

John 15:9–17

9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 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. 17 This I command you: love one another.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 5-14-2022: Saint Matthias, Apostle

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022 | FEAST

SAINT MATTHIAS, APOSTLE

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Acts 1:15–17, 20–26

Response Psalm 113:8 or Text

Psalm Psalm 113:1–8

Gospel Acclamation John 15:16

Gospel John 15:9–17

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