May Another Take His Office

Ma y 14, 2009

Feast of St. Matthais, Apostle

“Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” Acts 1:21-22

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:11-14

Piety

Father, we thank you and praise you for the gifts you have bestowed upon us. Jesus, help us to show the depths of our thanks for your love with our leadership, friendship and service no matter what path you have chosen for us to follow. Holy Spirit, guide us along the path so we may live as witness to the resurrection. Amen.

Study

Today, Matthias goes from “babe chick” to Cursillista. He is selected to become a leader – the replacement for Judas, maintaining the number of apostles at twelve – just like the tribes of Israel.

There are many ways that we are asked to pass along the mantle of leadership, friendship and service to those in our environments – family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others. We do it through religious education. We do it through palanca. We do it through group reunion. We do it through piety, study and action.

Matthias was asked to take on more responsibility than he had before. He said yes to the invitation. His yes was different from the yes the original disciples declared. When Peter, Andrew, James, John and the others were asked to follow Jesus, they really did not know what they were getting into. Matthias knew. He witnessed the arrest, Passion and execution. He witnessed the Resurrection and Ascension. He saw Jesus live out the words – no greater love than to give up one’s life for a friend. He knew the depths of the love that Jesus lived. What was in store for him?

Action

What must have been going through the minds of Mathias and Barnabas during this “election?” Were they like Jesus in the Garden saying yes and praying that the cup would pass by them? Or were they like Jesus before Pilate – speechless in the face of the fullness of time, ready to accept the cross.

In Cursillo, everyone is a leader. Our weekend experience is when we are invited to become, with all other Cursillistas, a witness to a deeper faith experience. After that, in our Fourth Day, we have a new appreciation of what the mantle of friendship with Jesus means and how we can carry out those responsibilities.

How can we live with the spirit of Matthias’s yes? Make a friend. Be a friend. Bring a friend to Christ.