Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

BONA FIDE

In Margery Williams’ classic children’s story, The Velveteen Rabbit, the stuffed toy rabbit asks the metaphysical question, ‘What is real?’ and discovers that being loved makes the rabbit real.

Now, an apostolic vacancy needs to be filled, and the disciples found themselves in such a situation in a room with Jesus absent. This group needed to find someone who was real and authentic to replace Judas at the table. The ancient practice of casting lots was used to make a group decision, but the selection is not as haphazard as it may seem.

Some criteria were in place, and here is the lesson for us.

They knew and perhaps were even gifted to think it through that of the two candidates, Justin and Mathias, Mathias had been with Jesus and the disciples from the beginning. Mathias was bona fide, the real deal.

What about us? How real are we? Are we with Jesus?

There are times, as it should be, for solitary moments. However, active participation is required when it comes to physical, mental, and spiritual belonging to this mystical body. We have to be in the loop, that is, part of a group. Our identity is with Jesus, united with the Church, united with each other.

A child actively brings a stuffed bear or rabbit to life and takes the chosen one to bed and in the car. The child is fully animated and engaged. The bear is real.

We have been chosen, but an invitation is not complete until accepted. It’s time to be fully engaged and know what is real.

Prayer

Oh God, be gracious and bless us, and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth, and all nations learn your salvation. (from Psalm 67 in Praise God in His Holy Place: Psalms and Canticles of Scripture for Eucharistic Adoration, Bernard J. Camiré SSS)