Celebrating Matthias Matthiastly
This year our patron’s memorial falls on Ascension Thursday, and what to say about our dear Matthias becomes even muddier than usual. As one who aspires to be like our “Invisible Apostle,” (doing good enough to be named one of the twelve, with no one having any idea who did what was done), I’m wondering if I should be saying anything about the one for whom all this wordsmithing is being performed.
To bring even less clarity to the fog, Ascension Thursday has been more or less neutered in many U.S. dioceses by kicking it down the week a few days, deobligating it by attaching it to the tail of God’s rest day. Consequently, should I descend to talk about the ascending and forget our forgotten apostle’s day, or should I stoop to Jesus’ climb on the sabbath and toot St. M’s horn on the eve of the day we thank God for (as in TGIF)?
If I seem a bit light-hearted concerning this blog bog, it’s because I’m sure ol’ Matthias is having a good belly laugh over it. Not only do I believe that this thrifty saint would appreciate us getting two obligations for the price of one, it is highly probable that he would prefer me to take the lead from scriptures and say next to nothing about him. Matthias was a doer, but was not quoted on it, in the spirit of another silent gent, St. Joseph. Number 13 on the apostolic hit parade was identified in Acts as having “been there and done that” with Jesus from His dipping by the Baptist to the death that didn’t take. Matthias was quietly apostolic enough so that the Holy Spirit lotteried him into the job, and then our patron silently went on his merry way still undocumented by scripture scribblers.
And this is what a Matthiast strives for. Being unknown in person, but not in action. Feeding the sheep, without feeding the ego. Serving the Master and not the self. Like a pane of glass, we long to be functional while being overlooked.
Let us say no more, and pay tribute by doing what we have been made to do without a single accolade falling at our feet. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. And thus, Matthias lives on.
