Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Matthias (May 14, 2020): ACTS 1:15-17,20-26; PS 113:1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8; JN 15:9-17
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
While we know so very little about him...St. Matthias was chosen to join the ranks of the Apostles.
As we celebrate the feast of St. Matthias, we recognize that he is unique among the Apostles since he was the one called to join the Eleven after the death of Judas Iscariot. In the days after the Ascension of our Lord, St. Peter called together a group of the very earliest followers and, exercising his new leadership role, said that they needed to choose someone suitable to join them. He explained, “It is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, 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” (Acts 1:21-22). Two names were proposed, and Matthias was selected. This is the only time his name is mentioned in the New Testament.
However, St. Matthias was no doubt with the other Apostles and disciples in the Upper Room at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them. By tradition, he began to preach Jesus’ message of salvation in Judea and then went to what is now Turkey. It is believed he died a martyr’s death there, possibly by beheading. While we know so very little about him, we can reasonably expect that Matthias was already respected for his holiness and dedication to Jesus. After all, he had followed our Lord during His years of ministry and was quickly chosen to join the ranks of the Apostles. Like the others, he could not know where God would direct him, but willingly gave himself over to the task of sharing the news and the blessing of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection wherever he went.