"It was not you who chose me, says the Lord, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last." John 15:16
These words from Scripture are easily applied to Matthias, the thirteenth Apostle, the one chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot. However, they also have application to each of us.
Not that much is know about Matthias, but it seems that all the important things were in place for his selection. He had been a follower of Jesus since John baptized Him, so he was with Him for all the significant times of His life. His appointment was unique in that Jesus did not personally choose him. (He had already returned to the Father.) He was chosen before Pentecost, which means he too received the gifts of the Spirit, along with the Apostles, on that awesome day.
Especially during this time of pandemic, I have frequently thought of the fact that God has chosen you and me, too. We are chosen and blessed. That fulfills the first part of today's quote. It is the second part that continues to give me pause: have I borne fruit, fruit that will last? With all our blessings, we must remember Jesus' charge to us. Go --- love --- serve. We are chosen and blessed not for ourselves alone, but for others.
Have I given evidence by my actions, of the lasting fruits Jesus is asking of me?
St. Matthias, chosen out of time to participate in the mission of the Apostles, help me to be open to the graces being offered to me, and the opportunities to Courageously Live the Gospel as a missionary disciple. Help me always to seek the fruit that will last.
Reflection by:
Sister Marlene Weidenborner
Did you know...
Sister Marlene Weidenborner, OSF, is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY. A religious for over 60 years, most of Sister's ministerial life has been lived out in the various dioceses of Florida. Currently Sister serves as the Vicar for Religious in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
