Saint Matthias, Apostle (Feast)
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you. (John 15:16)
Matthias must have felt doubly chosen by God. Being among the followers of Jesus who had been with him from the start, he likely heard the Lord say, “Come follow me.” Then he was chosen to replace Judas as one of the Twelve. How did that second calling come about? By casting lots—in other words, what some might call chance. The apostles used this random method for two reasons. First, because they couldn’t choose between two equally qualified candidates: Matthias and Joseph Barsabbas. And second, to make sure that the decision would be God’s and not theirs.
But Matthias’ calling didn’t start with a roll of the dice. It didn’t even start with Jesus’ initial call to him. Matthias was chosen “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). God had chosen Matthias before he was even conceived! That choice guided this man every day before he first met Jesus, and it continued to define his life every day thereafter. You could say that God was choosing Matthias day after day, shaping him and leading him—even when Matthias didn’t realize it.
You can probably guess where we are going with this. God has chosen each of us in the same way. He has chosen you. He had you in mind before you were born. He knew what your gifts and talents, strengths and challenges would be, and he shaped a plan for you that would lead you to his heavenly throne. Every day, he continues to choose you with the same love that he had from the beginning.
This doesn’t mean your life will always be free of conflict. But it does mean that no matter what you face today, God is still with you, choosing you. He is always choosing the best way for you. Even when you choose the exact opposite way, he “recalculates” your route so that you can find him and follow him.
Take some time today to ponder the joy embedded in this truth. Day after day, he wants to be near you, to walk with you, to show you his love.
“Jesus, I’m amazed that you choose me! Help me to follow you more closely today.”
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Psalm 113:1-8
Daily Marriage Tip for May 14, 2018:
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn 15:13) Loving your spouse means making sacrifices for them. How do you lay down your life for your spouse? How does your spouse lay down his/her life for you?