Homily for 14 May 2015

14 May 2015

Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle

Even before Matthias was chosen, he was chosen.  He'd been a faithful follower of Jesus from the beginning. So, even though it looked like he’d been chosen by the Apostles as a replacement for Judas, really, Matthias had already been chosen and prepared by Christ since his baptism.

And for that matter, the other guy--Joseph Barsabbas--was also chosen.  He wasn't chosen as Judas' replacement; but he was nonetheless a chosen one of Christ.  And so, between Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias, neither of them was a loser or winner when the lots were cast.  Long before that, Jesus had chosen and called each of them to be his companions.  And that's what was important.

As we hear Jesus say, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you."  No matter what our lot is in life, no matter what our role and vocation is in the church, no matter what side of the altar we’re on, what's important is that Jesus has personally chosen and called each of us to be his companions on the way.  He has called each of us to come to his altar.

It doesn’t so much matter what others think of us; it matters what God thinks of us.  And in God’s eyes we are worthy to be in presence.  And that's the source of our joy: knowing that we are chosen and loved by the Lord.