FEAST OF ST. MATTHIAS, APOSTLE
Psalter: Proper / (Red)
Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
The Lord will give him a seat
with the leaders of his people.
1st Reading: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
It was during this time that Peter stood up in the midst of the community — about one hundred and twenty in all — and he said,
“Brothers, it was necessary that the Scriptures referring to Judas be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit had spoken through David about the one who would lead the crowd coming to arrest Jesus. He was one of our number and had been called to share our common ministry.
In the Book of Psalms it is written: Let his house become deserted and may no one live in it. But it is also written: May another take his office. Therefore, we must choose someone from among those who were with us during all the time that the Lord Jesus moved about with us, beginning with John’s baptism until the day when Jesus was taken away from us. One of these has to become, with us, a witness to his resurrection.”
Then they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias. They prayed: “You know, Lord, what is in the hearts of all. Show us, therefore, which of the two you have chosen to replace Judas in this apostolic ministry which he deserted to go to the place he deserved.”
Then they drew lots between the two and the choice fell on Matthias who was added to the eleven apostles.
Gospel: Jn 15:9-17
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love! You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you! There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends; and you are my friends, if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants anymore, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.
You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. This is my command, that you love one another.
Reflections
Remain in my love
The original twelve disciples was a sinful community. Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied knowing Jesus thrice. The rest, save for the Beloved, deserted Jesus upon his arrest. And yet God continued to entrust the Gospel of salvation to this fragile community of disciples.
Moreover, the Lord will continuously rehabilitate his Church not by providing us blueprints to follow but by guiding us in our discernment of his will. Hence, after praying over whom to succeed Judas, the disciples chose Matthias.
We are sinful yet called by God. We are fragile yet ever guided by the Spirit of the Lord.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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