Not Seeking the Light!

Feast of Matthias, Apostle

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Jn 15:9-17

Today we celebrate the feast of Matthias, Apostle, who was chosen to replace Judas the betrayer. 

Scholars feel that apart from the mention of Matthias’ election in the book of Acts, not much is known about him. We know nothing for certain about his life and ministry after he became one of the first bishops of the Church. According to various traditions, Matthias traveled north to Cappadocia (Central Turkey) and then east to the Caspian Sea (Georgia). He is believed to have died a martyr by crucifixion, or he may have even been stoned and then beheaded. Other traditions hold that he traveled south to modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia.

However, the verse that functions as a criterion for his election says a lot about who he was. Peter lays it out, saying, ‘It is necessary that 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’ (Acts 1:21-22). 

He accompanied the Lord. The verse describes that Matthias accompanied the Lord the entire time he carried out his public ministry. How selfless should someone be to accompany the Lord all the time, though the person was not explicitly named for anything? He needed no recognition to follow Jesus. 

His heart was in the right place. Different people followed Jesus for different reasons. The famous example could be people following Jesus because of the multiplication of the bread. However, Matthias was only motivated by his love for Jesus. Moreover, comparing Matthias to the one whom he replaced, the right intention that characterized him could be very well seen. Judas betrayed Jesus because his heart was not in the right place. But Matthias could accompany the Lord without expecting anything in return because his heart was in the right place. 

He willingly accepted the election. Though Matthias did not aspire to anything, when it was known to be the Divine Will that he take the place of Judas, Matthias accepted the call willingly. Further, the election of Matthias is validated by the showering of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It shows that Matthias is rewarded for his genuine love for Christ. 

The exemplary life of St. Matthias is a reminder that we need to follow the Lord faithfully, though we may not know the outcome. 

St. Matthias inspires us toward a selfless mission for the Lord, even in the absence of a guarantee for a life in the spotlight. 

Let us pray that, following the example of St. Matthias, we may be the light and not seek it. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar