14 May, 2024 | Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

 Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Gospel Jn 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.

Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,

just as I have kept my Father’s commandments

and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you

and your joy might be complete.

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

No one has greater love than this,

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

I no longer call you slaves,

because a slave does not know what his master is doing.

I have called you friends,

because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you

and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,

so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.

This I command you:  love one another.”

Reflections:

In todays’ first reading Mathias was chosen in the place of Judas and he became apostle of Jesus. He was the witness to Christ’s death resurrection and ascension. He was chosen because right from the beginning (when Jesus was baptised) till Jesus went out preaching he was with him and was witness to his ministry as he had a close relation with Jesus.  In the gospel Jesus tells us that as father has loved him, we too must love him by following his footsteps, by living a good Christian life – in prayer and helping each other. He also tells us that the only commandment is to love one another as he loves us and greater love is when someone is ready to give his life for another. In our life we too have many friends they will be around us as long we have fun, riches we spent on them but when in sickness and sorrow they will not show themselves the time when we need them most. So, it is rightly said and Jesus also tells us that a real friend is a friend in need who stands by us in sorrow and pain. 

 

Activity:

Facilitate a group reflection on living out Christ's commandment to love one another.