The Word: "Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it'; and 'His office let another take." (Acts 1:20)
Mystery of the day: Sorrowful
Celebration of the day: St. Matthias, Apostle
(+64). After the ascension of our Lord, St Peter proposed that the disciples select an apostle in the place of Judas. The choice was Matthias, who joined the eleven apostles. He worked for the Faith in , and later was stoned to death. Today we are reminded that our Christian vocation is a gratuitous gift of God. We should correspond with fidelity and gratitude.
Table of the Word: I R.: Acts 1:15-17.20-26
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 113
Verse before the Gospel: John 15:16
Gospel: John 15:9-17
Inspiration: One of the most shocking hard-ricked events in life is when we end up deceiving or betraying ourselves. That is being insincere to ourselves and in our duties. In reverse to this, diligence in duties is required. Diligence in duty refers to the consistent and persistent effort to fulfill one's responsibilities and obligations with care, attention, and dedication. Sadly, in the case of Judas Isacriot this was not the case, as he left his primary duty for the service of the community to cater for his personal needs.
This case is seen in the betrayal episode of our Lord by Judas Iscariot. In the call to discipleship, Judas was called as others and was assigned a duty of being in-charge of the common purse, the duty that he ended up selling out his Master out of greediness.
The first reading of expounded in detail the consequence of not being diligence in service when Peter quoted an extract of Psalm 109:8 which says: "Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it'; and 'His office let another take." (Acts 1:20)
However, Peter uses this psalm to justify the need to replace Judas with another apostle, which they do by choosing Matthias (cf. Acts 1:21-26). By applying this psalm to Judas, Peter is essentially saying that Judas's betrayal and defection have made his "habitation" (his position among the apostles) desolate, and that another should take his office. This passage highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity and unity of the apostolic leadership in the early Christian church; and at the same time serves as a reminder to each and everyone of us to be diligence in our call to duties.
Today, we celebrate one of the great pillars in the College of Apostles though not too pronounced as Peter, James or John but his witnessing Spirit paved way for him to be nominated which he subsequently elected into the Apostolic college.
Beloved in Christ, what is our attitude towards our respective call as a priest, consecrated person or lay faithful? Does our dealing match with our calling? Let us re-examined our day-to-day living experience and make sincere amends so that our habitations will not be desolate rather we will end up being crown as faithful steward of God's mercy.
Finally, as we celebrate. St. Matthias today let us be conscious of the fact that our Christian vocation is a gratuitous gift of God and we should correspond it with fidelity and gratitude. Peace be with you!
Let us pray
O God, who assigned Saint Matthias a place in the college of the Apostles, grant us, through his intercession, that, rejoicing at how your love has been allotted to us, we may merit to be numbered among the elect. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 14052024
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