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All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 3

<< Thursday, May 14, 2015 >>

St. Matthias

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
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Psalm 113:1-8

John 15:9-17
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REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

"May another take his office." —Acts 1:20

During this Pentecost novena, which begins tomorrow, we must replace our Judases with Matthiases. The apostles had spent nearly every day with Judas for about three years. After he sold Christ for thirty pieces of silver and then committed suicide, the apostles were probably traumatized, guilt-ridden, and confused. They had to deal with this catastrophe before they could receive the Holy Spirit of Pentecost. They had to replace the pain associated with Judas with the peace and healing associated with Matthias.

To receive the Holy Spirit this Pentecost, you too may have to replace the trauma of a divorce with the grace of forgiveness and healing. If you have been abused physically, emotionally, or sexually, you may need to replace your pain with the miracle of God's love.

Because of being hurt and rejected, we usually try to forget about the Judases who have walked away from our lives, but we must replace them. First, we must forgive our Judases. Then, we must ask the Lord to work all things together for our good (Rm 8:28) by replacing disgrace with grace. The miracle of Matthias precedes the miracle of Pentecost.

Prayer: Father, I take my pain to the cross and let the crucified Jesus heal and transform me.

Promise: "Consecrate them by means of truth — 'Your word is truth.' " —Jn 17:17

Praise: St. Matthias belonged to the "company" of disciples and apostles who followed Jesus from His baptism in the Jordan until the day of His ascension (Acts 1:21). Tradition holds that he even followed Jesus exactly in suffering crucifixion.

Parents' Prayer

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, and Son of Mary, I thank you for the gift of life you have entrusted to my care. Help me be a parent both tender and wise, both loving and forgiving.

Mary, Holy Mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Christ, and our Motherly Queen of Heaven, nourish our family with your heavenly grace. Help us to remain faithful to The Most Holy Trinity, in all our sorrows and joys. Joseph, Earthly father to our Lord God, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

Holy Family of Nazareth, help our family to walk in your footsteps. May we be peace-loving and peace-giving.
Amen.