My brothers and sisters, whenever there is a vacancy in a high-level position, the selection process is usually intense. Resumes are reviewe...
My brothers and sisters, whenever there is a vacancy in a high-level position, the selection process is usually intense. Resumes are reviewed, interviews are conducted, and qualifications are heavily scrutinized to ensure the absolute best candidate is picked for the job.
Today, on the Feast of Saint Matthias, we see how the early Church filled the most critical vacancy in its history. Judas had betrayed Jesus and was gone. The number of the Twelve Apostles—the foundational pillars of the Church—was broken. Peter stands up and declares that another must take his office. They narrow it down to two men: Joseph called Barsabbas, and Matthias.
How do they make the final decision? They pray, and then they engage in the ancient practice of Casting lots. To our modern, professional minds, this seems like leaving leadership up to a roll of the dice. But to the early Christians, casting lots was an act of profound surrender. They were removing human bias and letting God make the final call. The lot fell upon Matthias.
Why Matthias? We don't know his resume. He never speaks a recorded word in Scripture. But the Gospel reveals the true criteria of his selection. Jesus says, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you."
Matthias was not the lucky winner of a lottery; he was deliberately Chosen by the Lord. His calling was rooted entirely in the grace of Christ. And this is the exact same grace that applies to every single one of us. We are not here by accident. You have been chosen by Christ to be exactly where you are today—in your specific family, your specific workplace, and your specific community.
And with that choice comes a mandate. We are Commissioned. Jesus says, "I appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain." Matthias was commissioned to be a witness to the Resurrection, taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. We are commissioned to bear the fruit of love, joy, and peace in whatever environment we find ourselves.
Today, remember that you are not a random participant in God's plan. You are chosen. You are loved. Step into your daily tasks with the quiet confidence of Saint Matthias, ready to bear fruit that will last for eternity.
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