Feast of St. Matthias Apostle May 14, 2024

Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for the Feast of St. Matthias Apostle
May 14, 2024, John 15:9-17
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051424.cfm

All For Jesus

The kids in the school play a game called Rock, Paper, Scissors with their hands: Rock breaks Scissors, Scissors cut paper, and paper covers the Rock. Whoever wins gets to go first in the game. They make a choice randomly, and everyone agrees that it is fair.

In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostle, St. Matthias is chosen “by lot,” or picking the short end of the stick. The people understood that God made this random choice, and everyone accepted it.

The “lot,” as it were, fell on Matthias to replace Judas, who betrayed Jesus. He qualified because he met Jesus after His Resurrection. Jesus chose 12 to follow Him and bring the Gospel to the world. So, St. Matthias restored the order.

It is recorded in Church History that Mathias preached the Gospel to barbarians and even cannibals in the interior areas of Ethiopia.
In an ancient book, StomataII.4, St. Clement of Alexandria reported that Nicolaitans reported St. Matthias saying, “We must combat our flesh, set no value upon it, and concede to it nothing that can flatter it, but rather increase the growth of our soul by faith and knowledge.”

By the way, St. Matthias died a martyr of the Faith, having already sacrificed everything for Jesus.

Gospel Challenge:
I have to admit that reading about saints like Matthias humbles me to no end, especially how he sacrificed everything for Jesus. It can be embarrassing to want a cup of coffee that would break the fast for Holy Communion.

What I can do, and you too, is to accept gratefully and patiently any little crosses and disappointments that may come our way.

Let’s not do it so our Faith will grow. Let’s do it because we already have that Faith and love for Jesus. “With Me,” He said, “Nothing is impossible.”

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C
www.bscchurch.com