Homily: May 14, Feast of St. Mathias (Chosen)

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"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you”. 

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Matthias, who was not at first one of the twelve nor part of the inner circle of Jesus. He was chosen later into the college of apostles, to take the place of Judas.

In the first reading, we saw how the apostles prayed and asked the Lord to show them whom He had chosen, someone who had accompanied them ‘the whole time’. They then cast their lots and God’s choice was revealed.

Did God choose Matthias only at that point when the apostles had to replace Judas? Or did God already planned and prepared Matthias ‘the whole time’ when he was following Jesus throughout His ministry, and remained in the community even after the crucifixion?

St. Paul says, “He chose us in him, before the foundation of the world…”

Can you imagine, right up to this point in your life and mine, you and I are present right now in this holy place not by chance, but by choice. Through our own decisions nevertheless, but not without God’s hands in allowing our separate decisions to end up together in this same place at this same time, listening to God’s word, celebrating His sacrifice and being another day closer to holiness.

Each of us chose to be here for ourselves, but it is God who chose us to be here together for Jesus.

Yes, we are all chosen in Christ before the world began, with a purpose, to return to Him fully sanctified. Whenever I ponder this deeper, it makes me very emotional. Unworthy but chosen, sinful but saved.

Recently, I saw these three words on a gift for confirmation: ‘Chosen, Loved, Forgiven’. How true.

We are chosen for love and forgiven for life.

I can’t even begin to understand how before the world began, God already had every one of us in His mind, in His will, in His plan. This is the mystery of our faith.

As God chose us, we too must choose Him. Because without Him, we cannot exist. He chose us to give us life. We choose Him to gain eternal life.

Let us always be thankful and grateful for being chosen, loved, and forgiven. Amen.


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