Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Today's Reading -Acts 1:15-26
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believersd (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, 16"Friends,e the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus-- 17for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." 18(Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong,f he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20"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.'
21So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning 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." 23So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25to take the placeg in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." 26And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
TODAY'S REFLECTIONS
Matthias is not mentioned at all in the Gospel of Luke. for that matter, he is not mentioned in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. None of the Gospels give him any print. Acts makes it clear that Matthias was one of those who walked along with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry until the end. He was an "early adopter"- one who grasped the vision of Jesus and what he was trying to do. With Luke telling the story of Acts, one can expect that Matthias had heard and understand the priority of caring for the poor, sharing generously, and walking the talk. He would have heard and seen tremendous and radical acts of inclusion by Jesus. He would have been aware of the tides turning against Jesus in Jerusalem and his ultimate execution. He would also have been one of the witnesses of the resurrection. He'd seen a lot. He'd been mentored. He'd been part of the "way" yet not in the limelight. And you know what--- even after being granted special status in today's text, Matthias gets no more PR. In many ways, that is very cool because Matthias in many ways can be the model for many of us. Many of us quietly go about living our faith- doing our best to follow without getting attention or reward. We do our best and we have an impact on other people's lives. Yet, in the grand scheme of history, no books will be written about us. In the grand scheme, as we live by faith, we please and honor God. Our names, our story (like Matthias) will be remembered vividly by Jesus- who we seek to honor as followers of the "way".
Jesus, like Matthias, help us to be part of your "way". We need not be in the spotlight for we'd much prefer that you be there. Help us point to you more and more for we want the world to know you, experience you, and come to be part of your way. Amen
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