The Replacement

~~~Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle~~~
~~~ Acts of the Apostles 1:15-17, 20-26 ~~~ Psalm 113 ~~~ 

~~~ John 15:9-17 ~~~ 

Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,
and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.

Just because you are not chosen at first does not mean
 you will never be chosen.
Jesus did not personally call Matthias to be
counted among the original apostles.
After the betrayal of Jesus by Judas the remaining eleven
felt there was a need to fill his position.

They came together and considered two men who had been
with them as they were with Jesus.
After praying they cast lots and it was Matthias who was chosen.

We do not know how Matthias viewed
 his not being chosen initially by Jesus.

What we do know is that he did not let that turn
him away from believing in the mission.

Matthias is sometimes called the forgotten apostle because
he was not one of the original twelve.

If you ask people to name one of the apostles,
Matthias would not be one you would hear.

Peter would be mentioned most often.
He is the apostle we are most familiar with...he is the one
we identify with most often. 

Matthias followed Jesus from the beginning.
Matthias knew the teachings of Jesus.
He had witnessed the miracles.
Jesus did choose him to be one of his seventy disciples.

Like the other apostles, Matthias was sent out to preach
 the good news after Pentecost.

Had he not been closely following Jesus during his ministry
 he would not have been prepared to assume
 his new position, as apostle.

Saint Matthias was stoned to death
 for preaching the gospel message.

When we believe we have been neglected or overlooked by Jesus
remember Matthias...
in time he was chosen to be among the apostles.
There is a time for all things.

Saint Matthias, pray for us.
Blessings in all times.
~~~Peace~~~