FEAST OF SAINT MATTHIAS, APOSTLE
MOTIVATION
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthias the Apostle, the one who was appointed from among the followers of Jesus to fill - in the group of the Twelve - the void left by Judas after his disappearance.
The name Matthias means gift of the LORDAnd indeed, it was so for the history of the early Church. Matthias - according to the book of the Acts of the Apostles- was chosen from among the first people who adhered to the Lord and accompanied the apostles. He followed the deeds and words of Jesus during the time of his ministry, and was able to bear witness to it in his environment after the death and Resurrection of the Master.
Matthias answered "yes" when the Church prayerfully felt that it was he who should be associated with the group of the Twelve. Like Matthias, may we too remain available to the needs of the Church and all God's people.
From the Gospel of John 15,9-17
At that time Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have spoken this to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I call you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. It is not you who have chosen me, it is I who have chosen you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should last. So whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. This is what I command you, that you love one another."
PRAYERFUL COMMENTARY
The word "friend" resonates deeply with us, with all kinds of nuances. We all wish to have friends, good and great friends, but friendship requires cultivation and fidelity; delicacy, respect and care. Perseverance and sensitivity.
We want to have friends, many and great friends, but perhaps it is more difficult for us to be real friends, those who know each other in the time of trial.
It is impressive to hear that Jesus calls us "their friends"and that this word is addressed to us in a conscious and direct way, not in an impersonal way.
He calls us as a group, but not as a group of individuals united by the same convictions or ideals, but united in Him by the experience of a personal and unique Love; by the experience of an intimate and personal friendship, which remains in each of our hearts and only on special occasions do we feel we can narrate it.
In the face of such a gift from you, we want to reciprocate.
It would be a tragedy to squander all the insistence of God's love for us by turning a deaf ear to his requests. Like all friendships, ours with Him must also be able to mature, and the Lord Himself shows us how to do this: "...we must be able to grow in our friendship with Him.Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love."; y "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.".
It is a true friendship that we can live with Christ, for although it is full of deep and personal experiences, it takes us out of ourselves and makes us friends of His friends.
May his Holy Spirit make us grow in true love,
that we may abide with our whole being in Christ.
WORD OF THE MYSTICS
SONG:
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
my heart overflows with joy
when I feel you call me your friend,
and it is something you utter in all conscience,
anticipating my wishes,
offering Yourself and in the first person
the gift of your friendship.
Thank you for the intimacy I can share with you,
for having entrusted me with your experience of the Father;
because your unveiled love
impels me to love - like you - others.
Friend Jesus,
Lord of our life and of our history,
fulfils our desire for fidelity
and enable us to abide in your Love.
Ana María Díaz, cm
14th MAY 2019
FEAST OF ST. MATTHIAS, APOSTLE
MOTIVATION
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthias the Apostle, who was appointed from the followers of Jesus to complete - in the group of the Twelve - the void left by Judas after his disappearance.
The name Matthias means 'gift of Yahweh', and in fact, it was so for the history of the early Church. Matthias, according to the book of the Acts of the Apostles, was chosen from the first people who adhered to the Lord and accompanied the apostles. He followed the deeds and words of Jesus during the time of his ministry, and was able to witness it in his environment after the death and Resurrection of the Master.
Matthias answered "yes" when the Church in prayer felt that it was he who should join the group of the Twelve. Like Matthias, may we also remain available to the needs of the Church and of all the people of God.
From the Gospel of John 15:9-17
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: that you love each other."
REFLECTION
The word "friend" causes in us deep echoes, with all kinds of tones. We all want to have friends, good and great friends, but friendship requires nurturing and fidelity; delicacy, respect and care, perseverance and sensitivity
We want to have friends, many and great friends, but perhaps it is harder for us to be true friends, those who are known at the time of trial.
It is impressive to hear that Jesus calls us "his friends", and that this word is addressed to us, not in an impersonal way but in a conscious and direct manner. He calls us as a group, but not as a group of individuals united by the same convictions or ideals, but united in him by the experience of a personal and unique Love; by the experience of a close personal friendship, which remains in each of our hearts and only on special occasions we feel that we can narrate it.
Given such a gift on His part, we want to correspond.
It would be a tragedy to squander all the insistence of God's love on us, turning a deaf ear to his requests. Like any friendship, our friendship with him must also be able to mature, and the Lord himself tells us how to do it: "Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love".; and "This is my command: that you love one another as I have loved you."
The friendship we can live with Christ is a true friendship, because although it is full of deep and personal experiences, it takes us out of ourselves and makes us friends of His friends.
May his Holy Spirit make us grow in true love, and may we remain with our whole being in Christ.
A WORD FROM THE MYSTICS
SONG:
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
my heart overflows with joy
when I feel you call me your friend,
and it is something that you pronounce with all conscience,
going ahead of my desires;
yourself offering, in the first person,
the gift of your friendship.
Thanks for the closeness that I can share with you,
for having entrusted to me your experience of the Father;
because your unveiled love
impels me, like You, to love others.
Our friend Jesus,
Lord of our life and our history,
fill our loyalty wishes
and make us able to remain in your Love.
Ana María Díaz, cm
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