St. Matthias, Chosen by God for a Purpose.


Tuesday 14th May 2019. Read Acts 1:15-26, Psalm 113 and John 15:9-17


_*“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.” (John 15:16-17)*_ 

Judas Iscariot did not make himself an Apostle. He did not call himself, he was chosen by Jesus but in the end, he betrayed Jesus and took his own life instead of asking for forgiveness. No wonder the saying goes that “God who made you without your permission will not save you without your cooperation.”

Dear friends, if like Judas, we fail to bear fruits that will last, if we use our calling, our gifts and talents, if we make bad choices and fail to repent, God will have no choice other than to replace us. The election of Mathias teaches us that no matter how good we may assume we are, there would always be someone else who can take our place and do better. Avoid pride and arrogance.

Another lesson we learn from this election is that when we have a choice to make, it is always good for us to consult God in prayer. “And they prayed and said, ‘Lord who knows the hearts of all men, show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.” (Acts 1:24-25).

The third lesson we learn from the election of Mathias is the importance of friendship. Mathias and Joseph (surnamed Justus) were friends of the Apostles. They were among those working in the background with the Apostles. As Peter noted: “So one of the men who has accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us -- one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22). Select your friends carefully.

According to Wikipedia, the tradition of the Greeks says that St. Matthias planted the faith about Cappadocia and on the coasts of the Caspian Sea, residing chiefly near the port Issus. The Synopsis of Dorotheus contains this tradition: "Matthias preached the Gospel to barbarians and meat-eaters in the interior of Ethiopia, where the sea harbour of Hyssus is, at the mouth of the river Phasis. He died at Sebastopolis, and was buried there, near the Temple of the Sun." Alternatively, another tradition maintains that Matthias was stoned at Jerusalem by the Jews, and then beheaded.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may St. Mathias intercede for me and may I use my gifts and opportunities in life according to your will and pleasure. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of St. Mathias, the Apostle. Bible Study: Acts 1:15-26, Psalm 113 and John 15:9-17).

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