Friday, May 13, 2011

St. Matthias, Apostle, 14-05-11

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 / John 15:9-17

Drawing lots to get someone to do a job can be seen as a simple and convenient and also fair way to make a choice.

But to draw lots in order to select someone to ascend to an important position may seem rather primitive and undiscerning method by modern standards.

But yet that was how the Pope is elected - by the drawing of lots by the college of cardinals.

That was also how Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as one of the apostles.

However in using such a method of selection, it only shows that the apostles left the choice to God.

They have done their part by proposing the candidates and commending them to to the Lord in prayer.

They then let the Lord guide them in making the choice by the drawing of lots.

Jesus said in the gospel that it is not we who chose Him.
Rather it is He who chose us, and He commissions us to go forth and bear lasting fruit.

Hence it is not so much our suitability for the task at hand but rather our availability for God.

Our availability is our response to God, just as St. Matthias made his availability his response to God.

To be available for God and to do His will is not a matter of drawing lots within ourselves, or tossing a coin to decide whether we will be available for God or not.

To be available for God is a personal decision; we have to decide.

May our decision be always for God and to do His will in our lives.