Tuesday, May 14, 2024

He remained; and he was chosen!

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

May 14, 2024: Remembering St. Mathias, the Apostle

Acts 1: 15-17, 20-26; John 15: 9-17

The place of apostle Judas was empty and they consulted the Lord as to who should fill that place! They were inspired to have the criterion that Jesus always insisted upon: Remain in me, as I remain in the One who sent me. It had to be one who had remained right from the beginning till the end! Mathias (for that matter even Justus and so many others) had never aspired for anything. They could have had no clue about this twist in the tale. But they had remained with Jesus and after Jesus had gone, they had remained with the rest of the band of followers. 

Mathias looked up to nothing except that of being with Christ and he was rewarded for it with a responsibility. He never chose, nor claimed, nor aspired to be an apostle... he was chosen to be, because he remained in His love. This is the call that we are reminded of today, that the Lord invites us to remain in his love and to love each other with the same love as a sign of our discipleship. 

The Lord chooses us... just as we see, that Mathias was chosen! It is important to understand, realise and insist on the fact that it is the Lord who chooses us. When we think that we have chosen the Lord we have expectations and agenda, making of our life a career! But the more we become aware and convinced that it is the Lord who chooses, we become more and more faithful, obedient, humble and true disciples. 

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