Today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthias – who was chosen by the Holy Spirit to replace Judas as the twelfth apostle! Judas went the way of destruction by his own lack of faith and trust in God – the God of reconciliation and mercy, the God of healing and forgiveness.
The number of Apostles had to be twelve because this is the number that the Lord Jesus himself had decided upon. And so after the Ascension the full complement was rounded out so that the prescribed number could go out into the whole world as Jesus commanded and proclaim the gospel to all creatures!
It is interesting to see how Matthias was chosen. It involved prayer – and a lottery! The lot fell to Mathias and so he was designated successor to Judas. Sometimes in our own lives it is appropriate for us to decide by prayer followed by casting lots as well – especially where a choice must be made between two apparently equal goods or even two evils (when there is no other choice and one of them must be selected). This might not be a bad thing to remember when Election Day comes in this country.
The Holy Spirit indeed can work in a detached, objective kind of way – if we give him leave to do so! In fact, he works best in these conditions!
In the gospel passage Jesus reminds his apostles that their primary responsibility is to remain in his love (and the love of his Father) so that they have something very concrete and valuable to pass on to others. Then he reminds them that they did not choose him – but rather he chose them to go forth and bear fruit that will endure. And lastly he tells them – when they need help in doing their apostolic work to ask the Father anything in his name and it will be given them. The Father's glory is most important – and Jesus will intercede to give us what we need to enhance the possibility of an increase of the Father's glory!
We thank you Holy Spirit for providing for all of the needs of the Church – from apostles, to pastors, to lectors, to choir-members! They are all necessary and important in being the best Body of Christ that we can be at this particular time!
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