The feast of St Matthias – chosen by lot

 Photo:  Canva.com

Today is the feast of St Matthias, the apostle who was chosen by lot according to the account in today’s first reading from Acts 1:15-17,20-26. To be chosen by lot, the drawing of straws, is not a substitute for human decisions. After all, before the drawing of the lots, the community nominated two candidates, Joseph known as Barsabbas and Matthias. So there was a human process of nominating people. They also had a human criteria – someone who had been with the apostles the whole time Jesus traveled with them, right up until his death and resurrection. As for drawing of lots, it reminds me, as I celebrate 50 years of priesthood, of my upbringing, the influence of my parents, teachers, Columbans, and the people with whom I have lived with over these many years in Fiji, Autralia and New Zealand. There were also the various courses I did, the various parishes where I worked, and the various gifts and talents God gifted me with. These things are essentially random: like Matthias, I could say that I was chosen by lot. This goes for each one of us. This brings me to the gospel for today from John 15:9-17 where Jesus says, “You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” I did not sit down and plan my 50 years.

 

There were some things planned, like courses I did or assignments I was given, but a lot of my life was chance encounters with all kinds of people. The same goes for each one of us. I suppose the question can be asked: Did I make the most of the lot that fell to me? We each have to answer that question for ourselves. However, when I think of people who grow up in war-torn countries like Gaza or Ukraine, I feel that some have been landed with far more painful and tougher lots than I. Yet some of the most inspirational people, like Nelson Mandela, were dealt seemingly awful hands and yet could end up thanking God for the lives they lived because it was their lot to make significant changes to our world, changes that would bring about the freedom of many and respect for their human dignity.

 

Tom Rouse