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.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Scripture: Deuteronomy 7:6-11 1 John 4:7-16 Matthew 11:25-30 Reflection: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in Thee. In » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:17-29 Matthew 5:43-48 Reflection: The whole Sermon on the Mount leads up to the most radical command of Jesus: "love your enemies". Love Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-16 Matthew 5:38-42 Reflection: Jesus challenges us in the Gospel to "turn the other cheek." He even challenges us with, "Love your enemies." It is so » Continue Reading.
The Most Holy Trinity Scripture: Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 John 3:16-18 Reflection: Where I live, Detroit, there is major construction work being done on Interstate 96, just west » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Matthew 5:33-37 Reflection "Let your ‘Yes’ mean "Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No’." Jesus demands of his disciples a radical honesty and straightforwardness. He is taking » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 Matthew 5:17-19 Reflection: Consider the mystery of Yodh, the 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is the one to which Jesus refers when he declares » Continue Reading.
Pentecost Sunday Scripture: Acts 2:1-11 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23 Reflection: Happy Birthday, Church! Today is Pentecost — the day we celebrate the beginnings of our Church. It is » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 John 21:20-25 Reflection: "When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus said to him, ‘What if I want him to remain » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 John 17:20-26 Reflection: "…so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me…" Many of the teachings of Jesus, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 25:13b-21 John 21:15-19 Reflection: I had to bring my car in for a recall. A few days after that, I received a survey from the dealership. Most of » Continue Reading.