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.
Scripture: Acts 11:19-26 John 10:22-30 Reflection: In today’s readings I am struck by the contrast between what is happening in Acts and what is happening in John – the startling » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 11:1-18 John 10:1-10 Reflection: "I am tired of hearing about men with the ‘courage of their convictions.’ Nero and Caligula and Attila and Hitler » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 14:5-18 John 14:21-26 Reflection: "He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:8-12 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18 Reflection: "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 John 6:44-51 Reflection: There’s not much I remember about serving the Latin Mass except how many rubrics there were to follow. The priest’s introduction of "Introibo ad » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 1 John 2:1-5a Luke 24:35-48 Reflection: "As soon as I lie down I fall peacefully asleep, for You alone oh Lord bring security to my dwelling." » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 5:27-33 John 3:31-36 Reflection: "We must obey God rather than men." Acts 5: 29 In the Readings for today’s Mass, the Church continues to help us understand more » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 6:1-7 John 6:16-21 Reflection: Emotions drive the lives of many of us. Sometimes they are of great benefit. At other times, they are troublesome. In today’s biblical readings, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 5:17-26 John 3:16-21 Reflection: In our readings for this Wednesday of the second week of Easter we discover a very interesting contrast between two » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 4:32-37 John 3:7b-15 Reflection: We are many parts but we are all one body in Christ. As the disciples, while we all come from separate lives, our faith » Continue Reading.