Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 14 May 2024. Being counted with

Daily Catholic Lectio

Tue, 14 May 2024

Seventh Week of Easter – Tuesday

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26. John 15:9-17

Saint Matthias, Apostle – Feast

Being counted with

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle. ‘Matthias’ (also ‘Matthew’) in Greek means ‘God’s gift,’ or ‘Given by God.’ In the early church, prior to Pentecost, the apostles wanted to fill the place of Judas Iscariot. Two people are placed before the apostles: Joseph Barsabbas and Justus Matthias. The lot fell upon Matthias, who was counted with the Eleven.

God counts us with us – this is the message for us. To be counted means to be made significant, valuable, worthy, and special.

Matthias is chosen through lots. Knowing the will of God through lots was a Jewish custom. The Apostles wanted to retain the original number of followers of Jesus to 12, in continuation with the understanding of the Church as the New Israel. Paul later called himself an apostle, and Luke calls Barnabas an apostle. Prior to Pentecost, Matthias became the twelfth apostle.

There is no reference to Matthias in the gospels. The Acts records that he was with Jesus. Eusebius calls him ‘Tolmai.’ Clement of Alexandria says, ‘Matthias was another name for Zacchaeus.’ The tradition holds that Matthias ministered in the region of Cappadocia or in Jerusalem.

What are the lessons for us?

(a) Everyone of us can become an apostle. Matthias represents everyone of us – who have not seen Jesus, who were not called by him, and who did not follow him during his earthly ministry. Being called an apostle means being raised to the level of a friend.

(b) Events happen to us in life. At times, events are out of our control. We need to accept the events not as occurrences but as our responsibilities. Matthias embraced apostleship with its implied cost.

(c) Jesus says to his apostles, “I have loved you, chosen you, and appointed you.” The initiative is from God. Allowing the initiatives of God to take their place in our lives demands surrender and obedience.

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For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the “door” (cf. Jn 10:7.9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere, and to all as “our hope” (1 Tim 1:1) – Pope Francis, Bull of Indiction, 9 May 2024. (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 97)

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy

# Be M.er.cy.Fool