Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

READINGS

Reading I Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke before and through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. Judas was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. For it is written in the Book of Psalms:      

     

Let his encampment become desolate,  and may no one dwell in it. and:           

May another take his office.

Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection. ”So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.

REFLECTION

“My brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke before and through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. Judas was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. For it is written in the Book of Psalms:      

Let his encampment become desolate,  and may no one dwell in it. and:           

May another take his office.

Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place."

How beautiful are God's plans for us! He is always teaching us through the Holy Spirit. He is always guiding the Holy Catholic Church even before Jesus became incarnate. In ACTS 1: 15-17, 20-26, St. Peter is guided by referring to the Holy Scriptures to discern what to do about Judas' apostolic vacancy. Then he invites the apostles to pray before they draw the lots.

This is why "I Love PAPA!" We PAPA members have been led by the Holy Spirit through our Spiritual Advisor just as the Lord taught Peter how to discern. We are always advised to look and listen to Jesus in our study of the Gospels in FACE ZBS. We are always reminded to begin with prayer for any PAPA missions (Retreats, Pilgrimages, and Conferences); like Peter prayed with the apostles before their vote.

We are truly blessed to have a Spiritual Advisor who always reminds us how to pray, how to question, and how to love Our Lord. Thank you for your guidance, Father Michael J. Truong Luan Nguyen! God bless you!

Let us pray our PAPA Prayer for all priests and all priests who are Spiritual Advisors.