ST. MATTHIAS - CASTING LOTS FOR THE 13TH APOSTLE..........

From the moment Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, the band of Apostles was incomplete. Jesus had called and chosen Twelve Apostles and with Judas' departure they numbered only Eleven. And so one of the first interepersonal and communal responsibility with which the post Resurrection-Ascension Apostles faced was choosing a successor to the most infamous one. Within the initial Community of Believers there were many faithful disciples of Jesus. The selection of a new, 13th member, returning the college of Apostles to its original Twelve, camd down toi two upstanding choices, Barsabbas and Matthias. Matthias was the one chosen, for he had experienced the Public Ministry of Jesus and was a witness to the Resurrection. Taking up the mantle of Apostleship, Matthias bore great fruit working in the Lord's vineyard. Matthias the Apostle is thought to have been martyred in Colchis, which is now modern day Georgia in the Baltic. Our discipleship as Catholic-Christian believers is meant to mirror that of the Apostles. To continue in the Church and the World the Public Ministry of the Risen Christ and to faithfully bear witness to the Resurrection, by our presence to and with others. May your Easter Faith on this St. Matthias the Apostle Day inspire and inform you and others to consider wisely the part you will play in making, keeping, serving,, leading, the Body of Christ - The Church forward in fidelity to the Gospel values of Jesus the Christ..........Fr. Troy