Saint Matthias
Apostle, Feast
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
Matthias was elected by the apostles to replace Judas, the traitor, because he had been a disciple of Jesus from the very beginning, from the time of Jesus’s baptism by John until the ascension. His qualification was, then, that he could witness to the risen Christ. And so should we.
The 12th Apostle: His selection restored the symbolic number of twelve, representing the twelve tribes of Israel and the foundations of the new Church.
Criteria for Selection: As established by St. Peter, the candidate had to be a witness to Jesus’ ministry from His Baptism in the Jordan until His Ascension, specifically to attest to the Resurrection.
The Casting of Lots: After prayerful discernment between Matthias and Joseph called Barsabbas, the Apostles cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias.
Opening Prayer
Lord God,
Your apostle Matthias was a witness
to the life and death of Jesus Christ
and to his glorious resurrection.
May your people also bear witness
to the life of your Son
by living his life as best as they can,
and radiating the joy
of people who are rising with him
to a new and deeper life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Election of Matthias and First Speech in Acts
It was during this time that Peter stood up in the midst of the community—about one hundred and twenty in total—
and he said:“Brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures about Judas to be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit had spoken through David about the one who would lead the crowd to arrest Jesus.
He was one of us and had been called to share our common ministry.
In the Book of Psalms, it is written:
Let his house become deserted
and may no one live in it.
And: May another take his office.
Therefore, we must select someone from those who were with us during the entire time the Lord Jesus was among us,
starting with John’s baptism and ending when Jesus was taken away from us. One of these must become our witness to his resurrection.
Then they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias.
Then they prayed: “You know, Lord, what is in everyone’s hearts. Show us, therefore, which of the two you have chosen
to replace Judas in this apostolic ministry, which he abandoned to go to the place he deserved.”
Then they cast lots between the two, and the choice fell on Matthias, who was added to the eleven apostles.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (8) The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
To seat them with princes,
with the princes of his own people.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love!
You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
I have told you all this that my own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.
This is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you!
There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends;
and you are my friends if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants anymore, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.
You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will remain. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
This I command you: love one another.
Prayers of the Faithful
– That in the name of the risen Lord the Church may raise up its members and even outsiders to a new and better life, we pray:
– That the risen Lord may give us peace and serenity of heart, that in him we may have someone to live for and to make our lives meaningful, we pray:
– That the risen Lord my give peace to our Christians communities in the certainty that he stays with us and breaks for us the bread of the eucharist, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
with bread and wine we celebrate
the presence of the Lord Jesus among us.
Let this be an assurance for us
that he wants to raise us up from our lethargy
and to make us vigorous and eager
to be a leaven in our communities
towards a life of service
and a road to deeper justice and love.
Grant us this through Jesus Christ our Lord
Prayer after Communion
Lord God, our Father,
Jesus has spoken to us here in our eucharist
his words of good news.
Let these words become in us
deeds of good news,
and may we ourselves become good news and a blessing
to all we encounter
by our spirit of joy and forgiveness,
of service and generosity.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
In the gospel of today, Jesus told us: “I appointed you to bear fruit, fruit that must endure.” Be fruitful in your words and deeds, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
REFLECTION
John 15:9-17
“I Call You Friends”
Today, the Gospel offers us a beautiful and intimate word from Jesus: “I do not call you servants any longer, but friends.”(Jn 15:15)
In Scripture, to be called a servant of God is already a high honour. Think of Moses, David, Elijah, even Mary – they were called to great missions and entrusted with God's treasures. But Jesus wants something more for us. Not just roles or responsibilities, but a relationship. He calls us friends.
Friendship is one of life’s most precious gifts. As children, we share toys with our friends. As teenagers, we share secrets. As adults, we share our joys and sorrows. Friendship grows through trust, honesty, and presence. And a true friend doesn’t walk away—even when we make mistakes.
That’s exactly what Jesus offers us. Even when betrayed, He calls Judas “friend” (Mt 26:50). Even in our weakness, He shares everything He has with us: His love, His word, His life. This is not friendship by merit, but by grace. He places Himself in our hands, not because we deserve it, but because He chooses us.
Today we also remember St. Matthias, the Apostle chosen to take the place of Judas. He was selected not for ambition or popularity, but because he had “been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us” (Acts 1:21). He reminds us that friendship with Jesus grows through faithful presence. Like Matthias, we are called to remain close to the Lord and be witnesses of His resurrection.
So today, we’re invited to reflect: Is Jesus truly a friend to me, or just a distant figure?
Do I live as His friend—with trust, honesty, and love? And when others fail, do I treat them as Jesus treats me—with friendship that forgives and remains?
Let’s ask the Lord to renew our friendship with Him—real, personal, and faithful. And may Mary, His closest friend on earth, help us to share His friendship with others.
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St. Matthias reminds us that some of God’s greatest witnesses are those who serve faithfully in the background. For years, he followed Jesus from the Jordan to the Ascension—not for a title, but out of love. He was a "quiet disciple" who was ready when the call finally came.
His life teaches us two things:
Faithfulness in the Ordinary: God sees the years of quiet devotion. You don't need a platform to be a witness; you just need to stay close to the Master.
The Gift of Being Chosen: Matthias didn't "win" an election; he was chosen by Grace. As Jesus says in the Gospel, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you."
Today, Matthias stands as a patron of new beginnings. He filled the void left by betrayal with steady, humble service. He invites us to stop worrying about our status and instead focus on "bearing fruit that will last" through simple acts of love.
Is there a "quiet" area of your life where God is asking for your steady faithfulness today?