Saint Matthias
Feast Day: May 14th
Patronage: Alcoholism, carpenters, small pox, tailors, hope, perseverance
Saint Matthias was known as the ‘new apostle’ as he was the one chosen to replace Judas after his betrayal and suicide. Matthias was chosen by the remaining eleven apostles.
In the scripture this is the first and the last we here of the apostle. Although he does represent a very important figure in our lives. He is a new comer. There may have been some people who were hesitant to welcome a new comer. As he wasn’t chosen by Jesus like the original twelve. But twelve was an important number therefore the apostles felt it important to find someone to take the place of Judas. Peter proposed the criteria for the choice, the new apostle had to be someone who had been a disciple from the very beginning, from his baptism by John until the Ascension. The new apostle must been a witness to Jesus’ resurrection. He must have followed Jesus before anyone knew him, stayed with him when he made enemies, and believed in him when he spoke of the cross and of eating his body. So from the one hundred and twenty people gathered for prayer and reflection in the upper room, the choice was made. It came down to two disciples and Matthias was chosen.
It was said Matthias’ had an enthusiastic embrace of all that being an apostle meant including evangelisation, persecution, and death in the service of the Lord.
Let us embrace the ‘new comers’ in our lives. Or if we are a new comer let us have courage and embrace our new position like Matthias.
Saint Matthais, Pray for us.
Originally posted 2014-05-13 02:59:48.