Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle
Scripture:
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
John 15:9-17
Reflection:
How often do we feel undervalued? How does being on the
B-Team typically make us feel about ourselves? And when we’re finally chosen for the A-Team, how much of that negative experience might we carry with us?
Consider the intense pressure Saint Matthias faced when he was elected to replace the traitor Judas as the twelfth apostle. The significance of the number twelve, resonating with the Twelve Tribes of Israel, underscored the weight of Matthias’ role in maintaining the apostolic circle’s integrity.
To top it off, Saint Matthias gets the weakest New Testament coverage. We learn he had been with Jesus from John the Baptist to the Ascencion. He was even in the room at Pentacost to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Beyond that, we learn he was martyred, likely beheaded with an axe, as an axe is what he holds in portraits of him throughout history.
Here’s the deal. Matthias had to be one of those special disciples. He probably didn’t talk a lot, but he was always there. Passing out loaves in fishes? Of course he was. Pulling in the fish nets? Of course he was. Defending all the apostles when they were hassled by unbelievers? He sure was.
He might have been super humble and did not need credit. And it’s a good bet he may have been one of the happier disciples, and a happier apostle.
It’s also a good bet he did not allow himself to wallow in the guilt of living in the shadow of Judas, to get lost in low self-esteem or negative stigma.
The odds are that we can aspire to bolster our own position in the world by doing what Matthias probably did: Let’s validate our own skills and abilities. Let’s change the narrative about negative Christian reputations. Let’s improve our performance in all things. Let’s enjoy a sense of accomplishment. On our own team, let’s build new relationships, learn new strategies, and contribute positively to a more Gospel-inspired team dynamic.
Nobody chose Saint Matthias as a patron saint for minor leaguers but, hey, why not? We’ve all been there.
Jack Dermody is the editor of the CrossRoads bulletin for the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission for Holy Cross Province. He lives in Glendale, Arizona.