The Feast of St. Matthias
Written by Blake Plympton
There are times in my life when I will just sit back in silence and ask, “Why me God? Why did you choose me?” About 9 years ago, I found myself in non-stop tears on a Sunday morning. Everything around me came crashing down. I was working a very difficult and demanding job as an Instructional Assistant for Emotionally Disabled students. I was in my final semester of my associates degree hating everything about the business degree I was pursuing. I just got out of a relationship that was very heartbreaking and left me with some big questions. I was on the cusp of wanting to move out because of feeling like it was time for me to move forward. Then, when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, I was trying to relax before church drinking my hot chocolate (as any 21-year-old man would do) when I spilled it all over my laptop, two weeks before midterms.
It was at that moment, everything in the world seemed to crash down around me. When I went to church, I just cried. All I could do was come to Jesus and just sit in my brokenness. In that moment, there was a small voice that came to my attention. “Do you think you could do something like that?” I looked up at the pastor speaking and contemplated those few words my mother spoke to me. After a long period of praying, contemplating, discerning with others, it was very clear that God was calling me into ministry.
Now, Matthias had a much different experience than I did. In summary, the Apostles spent a lot of time in the upper room praying after Jesus ascended into heaven. At one point, Peter stands up amid the brothers and sister there (about 120 people) and declares that a new Apostle must be chosen to replace Judas. He then lays out the qualification that they must have accompanied them the whole time Jesus went out among them starting at his baptism, until the day he ascended into heaven. Two people were brought forward, lots were cast, and it was decided that Matthias would be the one to replace Judas (Acts 1:12-26).
As I think about his story though, I wonder if he had some of the same questions that I did. Am I worthy enough to hold a position of authority in the church? Am I smart enough to do that? What will people think when they see me now? Will I be treated any different? What happens if I cannot do everything myself? What will happen if I fail? Taking on a call like this is life changing. It would only be natural to have some of these thoughts.
However, the more I contemplate his being called as an apostle, the more I am struck by his faithfulness. Not everyone in the Bible who originally followed Jesus stayed with him. There were many who would walk away after Jesus’ teachings. Some would only come for the miracles, wonders, and signs that Jesus did showing people that the kingdom of God was breaking in. Matthias shows to me a representation of what it means to be a faithful follower, ready for a call.
Having Matthias’ feast day during lent might feel strange. Here we are celebrating a man who was called to be an apostle of the church. A role that only a select few in the history of the world could ever be. Yet, we almost know nothing about this man. As a matter of fact, if we were honest with ourselves, we really do not know much about the Apostles other than Peter and Paul who were well documented in scripture. Maybe the lack of information about the other apostles could teach us what it means to show humility.
Every day, we wake up, freshen our bodies and minds for the day ready to work. We then go into the world proclaiming the kingdom of God in our everyday work of taking care of a house, flipping burgers on a grill, fixing leaks, painting walls, reconciling balance sheets, taking kids to school, taking ill parents to doctor’s appointments, and so much more. Our work is slowly filled with the presence of Christ for all to see. As we do our work, we are always listening to the quiet still voice that is calling us to good works. Some of callings might look like full time ministry. But for many of us, it is probably being more aware to the ways God is calling us to live in our everyday lives. It could be giving up part of your day to pick the weeds in your neighbor’s yard. Even showing up to work on time ready for your day could show someone the face of Jesus.
There may come a day when we are called to higher positions of leadership and responsibility. But for now, we work in the ordinary moments of our lives and let God turn them into extraordinary. So, may we continue to work in the ordinary, everyday life, glorifying God with all that we do.
Questions for Reflection
1. How does the appointing of Matthias to an Apostle strike you? Are you surprised by it? Are you confused about it?
2. How does your ordinary glorify God?
3. What would it look like to show gratitude for the ordinary in your life?
4. Who in your life would you say is a faithful person? What makes you say that about them?
5. Who do you think would call you a faithful person? What would make them say about you?
Collect (BCP, 2019 p.627)
Almighty God, who in the place of Judas chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve: Grant that your Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be guided and governed by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.