‘Gift of God’

When Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Christ, abandoned not only his post but his inner circle of disciples, the selection of St. Matthias to take Judas’ place testifies to the determination of the early church “get on with the business” of spreading the Gospel.

St. Matthias’ feast day is May 14. His name means “Gift of God.”

After Christ’s Ascension and before the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles gathered together to fill the void left by Judas. 

Acts 1:15-26 describes those days: “During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. 

“He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. He bought a parcel of land with the wages of his iniquity and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out. This became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that the parcel of land was called in their language ‘Akeldama,’ that is, Field of Blood.

“For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it.’

“And: ‘May another take his office.’ ” 

St. Matthias had accompanied Christ throughout his ministry and was one of 72 sent out by Christ to spread the good news, a quality in his favor. He was one of two candidates in the running for taking Judas’ place. The other was Joseph called Barsabbas. 

The apostles gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon St. Matthias. He was counted with the 11 Apostles. 

While the “casting of lots” may sound like St. Matthias won the lottery or selected by a role of the dice, it was much more than that. At that time in the ancient world, however, casting lots was universally seen as a type of divination by which the will of God was revealed. It was also connected with Israelite temple practice and with assigning temple duties. 

St. Matthias was present with the apostles at Pentecost.

There are a couple of unique traditions about St. Mattias. One is that he preached in Jerusalem and was later stoned and beheaded. He is often portrayed holding an axe, the instrument of his death. 

A second tradition claims he preached the Gospel to the barbarians and cannibals in the interior of Ethiopia and was crucified.
St. Matthias is the patron of carpenters, tailors, those with smallpox and in prayers for perseverance and for hope.
Furthermore, St. Matthias is known for emphasizing the importance of self-control. He preached that people must subordinate their physical desires to their spiritual desires in order to experience the peace and joy God intends for them to have. 

According to St. Matthias, the Holy Spirit empowers people to exercise self-control over their unhealthy physical desires so they can experience good health in both body and soul. For this reason he is known as the patron saint of alcoholics.

His feast was originally celebrated on Feb. 24 (or Feb. 25 in leap years) but in 1969 was moved to May 14 so it can be celebrated outside of Lent.