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THE FESTIVAL OF ST. MATTHIAS
24 February Anno + Domini 2009
"St. Matthias: The Forgotten Manâ€
Acts 1:15-26; Matt. 11:25-30
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We're gathered around Word and Sacrament today in remembrance of St. Matthias. But, who really remembers St. Matthias? What great deeds did he accomplish? To what lands did he proclaim the Gospel? We're not sure. All we know for certain about St. Matthias is that he was chosen by God "to take the place in the ministry and apostleship from which [the betrayer] Judas turned aside to go to his own place†(Acts 1:25). The Bible totally forgets about St. Matthias once he is given the episcopal authority that Judas had forfeited through impenitence and suicide and installed as a bishop of the Church, thus bringing the number of the Apostles back up to 12. He is not mentioned again.
Not only that, but the extra-Biblical legends concerning St. Matthias are sketchy, at best. Only a few of the early Church Fathers even mention him and, when they do, it is merely in passing. In fact, it is not really until the 11th and 12th centuries that we are given more information about St. Matthias' life and told that he labored as a missionary in Ethiopia. But, this information is hardly trustworthy, especially given the fact that another late tradition has him remaining in Jerusalem and claims that he was stoned and beheaded by the Jews there. The truth is that we do not know anything for sure about St. Matthias after he was chosen to replace Judas. The best guess is that he simply went about the work of the Ministry in a quiet way, baptizing, teaching, and administering the Sacraments as he was called to do. To say anything more is pure speculation. St. Matthias truly is a forgotten man.
But that is precisely why we should celebrate the Festival of St. Matthias! He is an example of the vast majority of faithful pastors who have followed in his footsteps, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel in a quiet way, their existence unknown in the world, except to those to whom they have ministered. They are forgotten men. No statues are built in their honor; no songs are written in their remembrance.
But, it is through these forgotten men that our Lord sounds forth the gracious invitation for all who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him and receive rest for their souls. He calls these men into the Office of the Holy Ministry to care for His flock in His stead and by His command. Not only are these men unsung and forgotten, but they are completely unworthy to heed the Lord's charge, and yet the Lord uses them to accomplish miraculous things. This should not surprise us, for consider how the Lord accomplishes these miraculous things. He uses ordinary water, His Word, and simple bread and wine. On their own, these earthly elements can do nothing, but, combined with the Lord's promises, they can do everything. Who better to serve up these ordinary, forgotten, earthly elements than ordinary, forgotten, earthly men?
Let us, then, give thanks to God for St. Matthias and for all faithful and forgotten pastors throughout the centuries. Let us rejoice that the Lord is faithful to His promise to be with us always through the gracious gifts He Himself delivers through the mouths and hands of those men He calls into His Office of the Holy Ministry. Even now, this day, here in this seemingly insignificant place, the Lord is present among us through the preaching of His Word and the administration of His Holy Sacrament. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Come to Him, dear friends, for He is ever ready for you to turn to Him again and receive His very Body and Blood, so that you may rest in His gracious forgiveness and abide in His glorious resurrection. The men He calls to serve His people, and you, His people who are served, may be forgotten by the world. But, they, and you, are remembered in His Kingdom, which has no end. All thanks, praise, honor, and glory be to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. In His Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
Now the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting. Amen.