Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:23-29 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Resp Ps 113; Jn 15:9-17

Above the heavens is His glory.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

You, Lord, know the hearts of all.

(Acts 1:24)

On this Feast of Saint Matthias, we find ourselves back in Chapter 1 of the Acts of the Apostles, where one of the first tasks at hand for the Apostles is to find a successor for poor Judas. This was not without first devoting themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers (Acts 1:14). First things first. There is a job description for the successor, namely, that it was necessary that he accompanied the Eleven the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among them, from the baptism of John on, up to and including witnessing to the Lord's resurrection (Acts 1:22). They proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:23). They prayed, cast lots, and left the decision to the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:24). As it should be. Would be so trustworthy and turn matters over to the Holy Spirit. Not my will, but yours be done (Lk 22:42). We ask for the grace we need to keep Jesus' commandments: If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments (Jn 15:10).

Being a follower of Christ means becoming conformed to Him who became a servant even to giving Himself on the Cross. Christ dwells by faith in the heart of the believer, and thus the disciple is conformed to the Lord. This is the effect of grace, of the active presence of the Holy Spirit in us.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Veritatis splendor Splendor of Truth, 21)

Not to accept everything, but to understand everything; not to approve of everything, but to forgive everything; not to adopt everything, but to search for the grain of truth that is contained in everything.

To repulse no idea and no good will, however awkward or feeble.

To love souls as Jesus Christ loved them, unto suffering, unto death.

(E. Leseur, The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, p. 156)

SAINT MATTHIAS, 

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From dear Maddy on foot from the Columbia River Gorge to Rowena Crest, in the Beaver State of Oregon. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022