It is 14th May 2017. We celebrate the Feast of St Matthias, the Apostle. The readings are from Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; and the Gospel from John 15:9-17. God chooses whoever God wants to work for Him. People use any method of choosing yet God is the one who approves and ratifies the selection for the welfare of the common. The first readings narrates the election of Matthias as one of the Twelve Apostles in the place Judas Iscariot. Just because he was selected to fill-in someone whose place and name the followers found it hard to accept, St. Mathias remained not so much known. He worked among the poorest of the poor and brought the Good News to them. He worked for the faith in Palestine and was stoned to death. God chooses us for a purpose and a mission. Since we are all chosen by God, we must be willing and decisive in the work God has entrusted to us. It is our faithful presence to Christ amidst the most challenging and life-threatening situations of our lives. Just because of we are weak and vulnerable, we must not value ourselves less. God who chose us is always with us and we must continue the work and mission wherever God wants us to serve. No matter whoever we replace to continue the mission of Christ, whether a good one and fruitful person or a mediocre or the one who is unpopular, we need to represent Christ by our service to all people. People choose whoever they want, but God demands from that very person what He wants anyway. Let us imbibe the spirit of St. Mathias to go out where no one has signed-in to work for Christ. The responsorial Psalm praises, “The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.” (Ps.113:8). The Gospel reiterates that the election or selection of a person is from Christ. Jesus has chosen us to be his own and to do something good for the humanity. We are not just servants for Christ but we are friends with whom Christ has entrusted his ministry of love, healing and mercy. As we are praying to the Holy Spirit, let us be reminded that we are chosen for a cause and for a purpose. “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” (Jn. 15:16). May we accept the invitation to serve and be fruitful in our service wherever or whatever life we are in. May God bless you.