Today is the Feast Day of St. Matthias, Apostle
St. Matthias, pray for us.
Saint Matthias: A Witness of Resurrection
Today, we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Matthias, an apostle chosen not by human hands but through the divine providence of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles, we find a vital criterion for his selection: Matthias had been a witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:22). His apostleship underscores a profound truth about Christian calling—being a witness to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 RSV
Imagine the profound impact of having seen the risen Lord, of having experienced firsthand the truth of His triumph over death. This experience was not just a credential for Matthias; it was a catalyst for a life of fervent apostolic service.
Matthias’s ministry is thought to have taken place primarily in Judea and possibly in Cappadocia and the Caspian Sea region. Tradition holds that he faced martyrdom for his unwavering faith; however, details of his death vary, with some accounts suggesting he was stoned, while others claim he was beheaded.
On this feast day, we are invited to reflect on our own experiences of encountering Christ in our lives. How does the reality of the Resurrection influence our daily actions, our decisions, and our journey with God? Matthias was chosen because he had seen and believed; we too are called to see and believe in the everyday resurrections around us—moments of grace, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
As we remember Saint Matthias, let us ask for his intercession that we might be true witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, carrying the joy and hope of the Risen Lord into every aspect of our lives.
Today’s Mass Collect
O God, who assigned Saint Matthias a place in the college of Apostles, grant us, through his intercession, that, rejoicing at how your love has been allotted to us, we may merit to be numbered among the elect.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.