Remembering St Matthias

 

Matthias is a big name in our family. My Polish great grandfather, his son, my grandfather and two cousins were named Matthias so as today is the feast of St Matthias, I am interested to find out more about him. Unfortunately the only time he is mentioned in the New Testament is in today's first reading from Acts 15-17,20-26. Peter tells the community that it was necessary to replace Judas so that there would continue to be twelve apostles. After prayer, Matthias was chosen. So what can we find out about him? He was not chosen because he knew about Jesus but because he knew him well as he had been one of the disciples who travelled around with Jesus since the time he began his public ministry. He had seen the Risen Lord and so could act as a witness to the Resurrection.

 

In the Gospel today (John 15:9-17), Jesus asks all his followers to have a relationship with him similar to that of Matthias and the other apostles. ''As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love. You did not choose me, no, I chose you. You are my friends if you do what I command you. My commandment is that you love one another.'' Pope Leo, in the homily in his first mass as Pope, also stressed the need for all baptized christians to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It will not be in the same way as Matthias but we can discover the love, mercy and compassion that Jesus has for all of us as we read about the way he acted with people in the gospels. We know that the Risen Jesus is present in us, around us in all creation and in all our sisters and brothers and in the sacraments. As we celebrate the call of Matthias, may we deepen our gratitude because we too have been called to be friends of Jesus who gave his life for all of us.