May 14: Saint Matthias / San Matías

After the death of Judas Iscariot, it became obvious to the Apostles that they must search for “one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the Baptism of John until the day on which He was taken up from us, become with us a witness to His Resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this Apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven Apostles.” (Acts 1, 21-26)

As the first chapter of Acts testifies, Saint Matthias was present with the other Apostles throughout the public ministry of Jesus. He was also present with the Church at Pentecost. Aside from this, little is known of the rest of His life.  According to one tradition, he preached for a time in Jerusalem, ventured as far as Ethiopia, and was martyred. Even if we do not know much more than this about Saint Matthias, we can still safely conclude that he must also have been suited personally to his calling, or he would not have been nominated for so great a responsibility. As is true for all of us, God called him, gave him all he needed to fulfill his mission, and blessed the work entrusted to him.

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San Matías fue elegido por los apóstoles para sustituir a Judas, el traidor, porque había sido discípulo de Jesús desde el mismísimo principio, desde el tiempo en que Jesús recibió el Bautismo de San Juan en el Jordán hasta la Ascensión. Por lo tanto, su capacidad y sus “credenciales” eran que podría dar testimonio cabal de Cristo resucitado. Así también nosotros deberíamos darlo.

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Para reflejar: Cuando Judas sintió con tristeza que su corazón había traicionado a Aquel que lo amaba, no buscó la vuelta al Amor primero a través de la humildad y el perdón, como hizo San Pedro. En lugar de “permanecer,” huyó a través de la falsa puerta del suicidio. Para cubrir este hueco, los discípulos eligieron a Matías, cuya fiesta celebramos en la liturgia de hoy. ¿Cómo hacen el discernimiento? En un ambiente de oración que busca permanecer en el amor de Dios.

Oremos. “Señor Dios, tu Apóstol San Matías fue un testigo de la vida y de la muerte de Jesucristo y de su gloriosa Resurrección. Que, siguiendo su ejemplo, tu pueblo de hoy, los miembros de la Iglesia, seamos también testigos de la vida de tu Hijo viviendo esa vida lo mejor que podamos e irradiando la alegría de discípulos verdaderos. Te lo pedimos por el mismo Jesucristo, nuestro Señor. Amén.”