*THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK WEEK OF EASTER.
ST MATTHIAS, AP. (FEAST* )
Readings
1st: Acts 1:15-17,20-26
Psalms 113:1b-2.3-4.5-6.7-8
Accl. John 15:16
Gospel John 15:9-17
THEME: GRACE OF OFFICE AND PERSONAL INCLINATIONS.
It is a great thing to serve Jesus. It is a great thing to walk in the light of Christ.
Walking with Jesus, he raised us up and makes us his friends with the full access to his heavenly Father. He no longer call us servants, but friends.All he needs from us is simple obedience expressed in love.
As friends of Jesus and as people who he has brought very close to himself, we run the risk of loosing our exalted position, when the take the familiarity for granted. Every free access, every good opportunity we get must be guided with utmost caution and sense of reverence.
Today, we celebrate Mathias, the apostle, the man who replaced the Judas Iscariot. Judas, despite the love shown him by Jesus, betrayed his master and friend. He sold his master simply because of selfish desires and personal greed. After hanging himself as a result of his personal choice, he made his position vacant.
However, nature abhors vacuum. When his habitation has become desolate and there is no one to live in it, the most important issue was his office. “His office let another take.” There was no discussion on how to take his property, but his position. What we have is what we give and we give is what we are.
In life, we must not toil with our roles. We must not, as a result of any inclination whatsoever loose sight of our office. There may be people who for their own evil intent or selfish needs are more interested in our office than we think. They know the grace that our office carries. They know the privileges attached to our offices. Knowing who we are, and knowing the goal of our positions, we are expected to guide our hearts against their wish. None of the elders who paid Judas for the betrayal business was called to come and take his position. They used the crack in him to achieve their aim. He was used and dumped. He lost his position for his inability to process and appreciate Jesus love.
Moreover, the choice of Matthias was hinged on being one of those who had accompanied Jesus during his earthly ministry, until he was taken away from them. Personal encounter with Jesus gives us access to witness to his resurrection.
They were about 120 apostles, but only two passed the criteria. When you served there is nothing we do in life that we must take for granted. The love we show today, the service we rendered, and the friendship we shared can be the cause for remembrance when in the future there is an open door or when God’s favour knocks.
Dear beloved, let us journey with Jesus in our day to day lives. Let us be channels of his love. Let us bear fruits worthy of his call. Let us represent him well.
May we not waste the special love the Lord has bestowed upon us in Jesus name. Amen.
Peace be with you.
Rev Fr Femi Victor Orilua, CSSp
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