St. Matthias, the Apostolic Witness and . . . part of the Divine Plan
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
St. Matthias, the Apostolic Witness and . . . part of the Divine Plan
St. Matthias often is considered an after thought Apostle.
We likely have heard of him, but many do not know much about him. He is most definitely, not an after thought. We hear from St. Peter that another coming into the twelfth spot was anticipated. The Lord knows of this . . . and it was mentioned in the Psalms.
St. Matthias is not an accident of history. It should be viewed as part of the Divine Plan. The Homily tells us about St. Peter and the will of God for another to take the place of the vacant twelfth spot. St. Peter tells us that they must get it right to complete the twelve, because it impacts salvation. In the Divine Plan, it was important there was twelve Apostles, not eleven.
Why Twelve Apostles?
Why twelve Apostles? Well, it could be an echo of the twelve tribes of Israel. But no, this number in the Divine Plan is not an echo. The Lord says he is not continuing with the old, but rather He is building a new people. A new Israel. A new People of God, which will embrace the entire world. Not twelve tribes . . . but twelve witnesses.
The Apostles talk to the people of God . . . not because of their blood, but . . . the Precious Blood of Christ. The Apostles go onto witness to the entire world.
Hear why it was important there was twelve Apostles. Listen about St. Matthias, and why he was chosen. St. Matthias, the Apostolic Witness and . . . part of the Divine Plan.
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