Today the Church remembers
Judas’ replacement, Matthias whom we read about in the 1st chapter
of the Acts of the Apostles:
In
those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered
about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to
be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas,
who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us
and was allotted his share in this ministry.’ (Now this man acquired a field
with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the
middle and all his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of
Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is,
Field of Blood.) ‘For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his homestead
become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it”; and “Let another take
his position of overseer.”
So one
of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went
in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he
was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his
resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known
as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s
heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this
ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’
And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to
the eleven apostles. (Acts 1: 15-26).
There is really nothing known
about Matthias other than what we have in the text above. However, from the text, we can glean that
Matthias was a follower of Jesus for Jesus’ entire public ministry. I wonder what he was doing when Jesus rode
into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, where he was when Jesus was brought before
Pilate, and where he was when Jesus was crucified? How did he react to all of those events? Did he run away as so many of us would
have? Was he in the background hoping
not to be identified as one of Jesus’ followers? What was Matthias’ reaction when he heard
that Jesus had risen? There are no
answers to these questions, but we do know that he was a presence in the Early
Church described in Acts. I imagine
Matthias as being someone who was a hard worker, preaching the risen Christ and
the good news of salvation to the people who were not famous, or rich, or
powerful, but to regular work a day people making the best of everyday
life. That ministry is admirable indeed!
Let us pray: O 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 ordered
and guided 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.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
This Wednesday,
the Lenten Series continues at 6 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church on 1115 36th Street
on the Island. This week we will hear
from Fr. Peter and Br. Michael, monks of the Order of St. Benedict.
This Friday and Saturday, Wine Glass and Art Class
with Lee Runion.
We will host St. Christopher’s quiet day and vestry
planning day at St. Augustine’s this Saturday.
Remember to collect those paper towel tubes and
oatmeal containers for the Summer Art Camp at St. Augustine’s.
Please remember
everyone on our Prayer List.
Your servant in Christ,
The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo
Episcopal ChurchGalveston, Texas 77550
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