Homily for the Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle

After Judas' betrayal, the Twelve Apostles faced a significant void. The number twelve held great importance, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel and representing the new Israel, a community of God that includes Jews and non-Jews. To restore the integrity of this sacred number, Matthias was chosen to fill the vacancy left by Judas and gather the full team of Apostles.

However, this decision was not merely a human one. Jesus had chosen the original Twelve, and now it was the Apostles' responsibility to select a replacement for Judas. They understood the gravity of their task and sought someone who had witnessed Jesus' entire public ministry. After nominating two suitable candidates, they turned to prayer, humbly asking the Lord to reveal His chosen one.

This situation reflects a blend of human judgment and submission to divine guidance. The early disciples employed their judgment and discernment while recognizing the importance of seeking insight from God.

Similarly, we need both in our lives. We should use our judgment and experience to determine the steps we should take while also entrusting ourselves to the Lord in prayer.