Saint Matthias, pray for us!

Readings: 1st: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Ps: 113; Gos: John 15:9-17

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

On this Thursday of the fifth week of Easter, the church celebrates the feast of Saint Matthias. Originally, he was not one of the twelve Apostles. However, he was elected to replace Judas Iscariot.

Not much is known about Saint Matthias. The good news is that, like the rest of the Apostles, he he remained faithful until the end of his days. He remained in the love of Christ till the end.

In today’s gospel, Christ gave us another key to a happy life. This formula is, remaining in his love. Jesus himself remained in the love of the Father by observing the commandments that he received from his father.

Of course, remaining in the love of Christ, also, means loving others. That was how Christ expressed his love for humanity. Hence, he gives it to us as a new commandment: “Love one another as I love you.

As we celebrate the feast of one of the great Apostles (Matthias) today, this feast reminds us that the Apostles sacrificed their life both for their love for God and for others.

They demonstrated it with their own blood. So, through their great sacrifice, Matthias and his companions, fulfilled these words of Christ: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Yes, Christ did if first as a sign of his love for us, and his Apostles followed his example.

So, let us ask God to help us to always remain in his love, and that, we may also love one another, as Christ loved us.

Saint Matthias, pray for us! Alleluia, Alleluia!

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!