Saint Matthias, Apostle

24Feb
‘So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout 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 must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
-Acts 1:21-26


Today we honor and remember Saint Matthias, Apostle. In this episode of The Acts of the Apostles he is chosen to be named among Jesus’ Apostles. He becomes one of the Twelve.  


Peter uses the Psalms to explain that because Judas has betrayed Jesus, left the group, and is now dead they must “Let another take his position of overseer.” The term translated here as “overseer” is one used elsewhere in the New Testament to indicate a Bishop. Jesus had purposefully chosen Twelve to be called Apostles because they would be a new version of the Twelve Tribes.  


The original Apostles saw it as necessary to replace Judas to bring their number back to Twelve as Jesus had chosen. What interested me in studying this passage was that there were obviously at least a few who fit the qualification of having accompanied the Twelve from the time Jesus was baptized until his crucifixion and had witnessed his resurrection. It is relayed in Luke 8:1-3 that there were “many” women who accompanied Jesus and financially supported him and the Apostles. How many other people were with them?


I like to think that these people represent us. We are now those people following Jesus and supporting his mission in any way we can. Most of these people are never named except in the passage from Luke and in our reading for today. It doesn’t matter. Jesus knows who they are.  We may never have prominent names in history, but Jesus knows who we are.  


Musical Reflection - In the Fields of the Lord - The Porter's Gate



Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.


Book of Common Prayer

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