Faithfulness

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Discipleship, Scripture, Service, spirituality, Virtue

May 14, 2026
Feast of St. Matthias

Faithfulness, a Fruit of the Holy Spirit,
strengthens us to be loyal to God and God’s promises.
Faithfulness is demonstrated by loyalty to friends,
duties performed, promises kept, commitments fulfilled,
contracts completed, vows observed, and being true to one’s word.

Today is the feast of St. Matthias, of whom we know very little except this:

Peter said, “Therefore, it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:21-26

Thus, a central theme when considering Matthias is that of choice – who chooses, what they choose, and the outcome of that choice?

MATTHIAS

Matthias’s own choice seems central here. He chose Jesus from the very beginning and stayed faithful to that choice. He continued his discipleship even though Jesus did not elevate him to apostle. How might Matthias’s humble faithfulness inspire us when our efforts seem unrecognized or unappreciated?

JESUS

What about Jesus’s choices, silently referenced by this passage from Acts? Did Jesus make a poor choice when he picked Judas over Matthias? How might Jesus have dealt with his disappointment in Judas?  Within our own lives, how do we incorporate failed choices into our spiritual understanding? 

JOSEPH BARSABBAS

Then there’s the bit actor here, Joseph called Barsabbas? Joseph was likely an unassuming man. Rather than call him by his given name, people called him “Barsabbas” – a reference to his perhaps more important father. Maybe Joseph was still young and hadn’t established recognition for his commitment. What was it like for him to be nominated, but not elected? When the lot fell against him, how did it affect his understanding of God’s call?

APOSTLES

Finally, let’s look at the Apostles and their choices. They responded to Peter’s call for action.  They prayed. Then their decision-making seems to have been vested in the casting of lots, a rather popular method in biblical times. ( See Proverbs 16:33, Leviticus 16:8, Joshua 18:10, Matthew 27:35, 1 Chronicles 24:5, Jonah 1:7, Leviticus 16:8.)

YOU AND ME

Tossing the dice may be an easier way, but how well have I learned the process of discernment? To what degree do I participate in the synodal dialogue initiated by Pope Francis and continued by Pope Leo to create a renewed dynamic for the Gospel mission?

That’s what the Apostles were trying to do – recharge the Gospel Mission. Just as they sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their choice of Matthias, we do the same today, albeit through a different method, but hopefully with the same faith.

Poem: Fear of Being Chosen – Sister Natalia, member of Christ the Bridegroom Byzantine Catholic Monastery

O Matthias, what did you think,
what did you feel,
when you were beckoned forward?
Did your heart race at the idea
of joining ranks with those eleven?
Eleven different types of broken,
all seeking to be whole.
Did you fear the possibility
of secret brokenness revealed?
And did you also feel
the thrill of sure adventure,
after having seen the ups and downs
of the men whose eyes were now on you?
You’d seen their pain, their dying,
and in your heart felt a pull.
One thing you must have known,
known without a doubt
being witness to the resurrection
would mean a life of miracles.
And when you heard your name called out,
and reality sunk in,
did you feel that joyful pain of knowing
that all now know that you are His?
Did your thoughts bounce back and forth
between death and resurrection?
And did you steal one more glance
at Joseph Barsabbas
and wonder, “Why not him?”

For Your Reflection as you pray with the scripture passage beginning the reflection:

  • What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
  • Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ? 
  • What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?

Music: I Will Choose Christ – Tom Booth

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