Daily Scripture, May 14, 2025
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Scripture:
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
John 15:9-17
Reflection:
Today is the feast of Saint Matthias, the disciple who replaced Judas and filled the place of the 12th apostle. We know little about him beyond reading in Acts that he was voted in and ultimately chosen by lots.
Let’s imagine what was going through his mind and what are some of the things he might have done.
Indeed, he would’ve wanted to be the opposite of Judas, promoting honesty and loyalty.
He might’ve become a peacemaker among the apostles when there were disagreements.
As a fellow evangelist, he may have wanted to visit regions that others wouldn’t.
Maybe he was so moved by the words and actions of Jesus that he would want to help people meet the needs of the struggling, suffering, and disenfranchised.
He could’ve been a teacher and mentor for new converts. Because he had the new status of an actual apostle, he might have enjoyed requests to share personal testimonies about his experiences with Jesus and the thousands of other disciples who gathered around him.
A new Pope is taking on the throne of Saint Peter. Any new pope must feel like Saint Matthias for quite a while until he gets his bearings. Let us pray for gifts from the Holy Spirit to shower on him and, while we’re at it, on ourselves since we must choose how to be better disciples every day.
.Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting those who live in poverty; he is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.
Feast of St. Joseph Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a Reflection: Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, the spouse of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 17:3-7 Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42 Reflection: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 Reflection: Gift or threat. We can mark our lives by these two words. If we see another person as a gift, we » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10 Luke 16:19-31 Reflection: In this story Luke tells us that possessions are not a hindrance to discipleship, but brings additional responsibilities on those who possess it. It » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Jeremiah 18:18-20 Matthew 20:17-28 Reflection: When we read this passage of Mathew’s gospel we are struck by the irony contained in it. Jesus and the disciples are on the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 Matthew 23:1-12 Reflection: In the gospel this past Sunday we heard Our Father in heaven during the Transfiguration of Our Lord proclaim, “This is my beloved » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Daniel 9:4b-10 Luke 6:36-38 Reflection: There is a story about Abba Moses, one of the Desert Fathers, who was invited to join a council assembled for the purpose of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4a 2 Timothy 1:8b-10 Matthew 17:1-9 Reflection: The imagery in today’s Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus is so striking that it can be very difficult to » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Matthew 5:43-48 Reflection: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” This must have been a startling teaching for the original audience of the Sermon » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 18:21-28 Matthew 5:20-26 Reflection: In antiquity, people generally believed that God operated by quid pro quo. If you were a good person who obeyed the rules, you would » Continue Reading.