May 14 — Feast of St Matthias: reflection

Theme: This I command you, to love one another as I have loved you.

Reading: Jn 15:9–17

The theme of love occupied a special place in the discussion of our Lord Jesus Christ with His apostles in today’s gospel. He told them two times that whoever loves him will keep his commandment, and also two times that his commandment to them is that they should love one another, and this love must be as He loved them. It should be the love that moves one to lay down everything, including his life, for the beloved; the love that compels one to always consider the best interest of his beloved in all his actions and decisions.

Today, the Church is celebrating the feast of St Matthias, who replaced Judas among the twelve apostles. If Judas had loved as Jesus preached, he wouldn’t have sold Jesus and wouldn’t have lost his position in heaven. If Judas had considered the best interest of the one he sold, he would have conquered his selfish desire for money. Recall that when Judas was promised 30 silver coins, he lost his mind, allowed his selfish desires to overcome him, and sold a friend to whom he owed the duty of love.

Our world is dotted with many cases of people who betrayed the ones they owe a duty to love just because of material interests and gains. Selling out has become a common practice in our world. But then, we must understand that failing to love as Jesus commanded is sufficient to deny us a position in the community of the apostles and saints in heaven, as it happened to Judas. If we fail to love as Jesus commanded, our position will be taken by another person. Let us resist every temptation to betray our call to love as Jesus loved us.

May God’s blessings be abundant in your life this Tuesday. Amen.

Fr Isaac C. Chima