May 14, 2010
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
By Melanie Rigney
So they proposed two (to take Judas’s place), Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. (Acts 1: 23-26)
He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor to seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people. (Psalms 113:7-8)
(Jesus told his disciples,) “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Piety
Lord, thanks for Your encouragement and love whether I finish the race first, second, or last.
Study
So the disciples get together to decide who’s going to replace Judas, one of the best known of the Twelve. They cast lots between Matthias and Justus, and Matthias wins. We never hear from either of them again in the New Testament. Some think Justus may have been the brother of Judas Barsabbas, who is mentioned later in Acts as going with Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch after their trip to Jerusalem. And, a contemporary said Justus became May have been the brother of Judas Barsabbas, who went with Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch. A contemporary says Justus became the bishop of Eleutheropolis (a city in what is now Israel), and drank a deadly poison but suffered no harm thanks to God’s grace.
There’s something lovable about these minor Biblical figures, the men and women who wander into the texts and receive a mention, then disappear. Somehow, they can seem more human, more like us, more “average” if you will. If they had big conversion moments, like Paul on the road to Damascus, or big changes in confidence and understanding, like Peter after Pentecost, we don’t know about them.
Some of us today live our faith lives large and loud. We’re given to what some might consider showy, public ministries. Others of us live our faith lives small and quiet. We lend money to a friend in need, never expecting to get it back or telling anyone else. We help a sick relative or work through our own health challenges and shrink from listing our relative or ourselves on prayers of the faithful.
Is there a right way on this journey? Maybe there are millions and billions of right ways. The critical thing is taking the way God guides us, whether it’s in the manner of Matthias and Justus, or Peter and Paul.
Action
Talk about faith journeys with someone who lives his or hers in a way different from the way you live yours.
