Through our reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as one of the apostles. He was chosen before the descent of the Holy Spirit, but this choice was not made by the risen Christ, but by the other 11 apostles. Tradition has it that the apostles were sent to different parts of the world to spread the Good News. For example, James the Greater went to Spain, Thomas went to India, and Matthias was sent to spread the Gospel in Ethiopia where he died as a martyr there. Just as pilgrims believe that James' remains are laid to rest in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, it is believed that the remains of Matthias are located at the Abbey of St Matthias in Trier, Germany, having been brought there by Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. Just as the remains of St James were rediscovered by a hermit in the 9th century in Spain, the remains of St Matthias were rediscovered there in the 13th century, at which time the abbey became a popular place of pilgrimage.
St Matthias faced many unknowns and many challenges as he preached the Gospel throughout the world. We also are faced with challenges as we bring the Gospel to others. May we be inspired to live in the spirit of the Early Church and to energetically witness to our world.
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