It is 14th May 2020. We celebrate the Feast of St Matthias, the Apostle.
The entire world is on its knees pleading God to lift the blanket of coronavirus from humanity.
His holiness Francis invites us all to pray for the end of pandemic, and wisdom for the scientist to find a vaccine for the elusively evading virus.
The readings are from Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; and the Gospel from John 15:9-17.
The first reading sets the scene for discernment and election.
The office of the Apostle was vacant due to the betrayal of Judas.
Barsabbas and Matthias are nominated by the Apostles.
They wanted to know who is the one God has chosen to fill the office of an Apostle.
All of them went into deep prayer having the two names in their heart.
“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.” (Acts. 1:25).
God gave them Matthias who witnessed the resurrection and followed Jesus from the start.
God chooses God’s friends to lead while humanity proposes its selection.
To be an Apostle is to have a balanced and productive merger between theological knowledge and administrative skills and love for God and the poor.
The responsorial Psalm places its hope on God, “The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.” (Ps.113:8)
The Gospel explains the intention of Jesus in choosing someone to work for him not as a servant but as a friend.
“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.” (Jn.15:16)
We are chosen to be friends of God like Abraham through Jesus not servants or slaves like Moses, Joshua, and David.
Friends of God cannot be enemies of humanity.
Only a good friend of Jesus can stand for, to disseminate the mind, to know, to love and to pass on to the others without distorting and dissecting the Good News.
We are all chosen by the Lord to do the will of God.
God has chosen us, appointed us and entrusted something special sacred work to each one of us.
No one is a believer and follower by mistake.
Let us accept the choice of God in our life and in the life of the Church to our part and allow others to do their part. May you have a good day. God bless you.