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Holy Days

May 14: St. Matthias

Crossed axesThere is no mention of a Matthias among the lists of followers of Jesus in the Gospels but we assume that he was part of the larger group, outside the 12 disciples, during Jesus' ministry.

According to chapter one of Acts, after Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, the disciples sought to replace him. They nominated two men; Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus} and Matthias to replace Judas out of a group of about 120. The disciples prayed, and then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts, chapter 1, verses 23-26.

And that is all we really know about Matthias. That he was chosen.

But we do know that he was one of the witnesses of Jesus's ministry. He was one of the great cloud of witnesses that includes us today, to the power of God in changing lives.

Wikipedia has more information about Matthias


May 31: Mary, the Blessed Virgin, visits Elizabeth

MaryMary - the virgin mother of Jesus. For centuries the eastern and western churches have considered her pre-eminent among all the saints.

In the gospels, Mary makes her first appearance as a teenager. Nothing is known of her childhood, and what we do know of her is found mostly in Matthew 1 - 2 and in Luke 1 - 2. If you read both accounts, you'll notice that Luke's account seems to give the story from Mary's standpoint, whereas Matthew concentrates more on Joseph's side of things. In both accounts the virginal conception of Christ is clearly stated. Mary's quiet devotion to God and her total acceptance of his will shine forth.

Her visit to Elizabeth, when both were pregnant, is a moving and poignant account of two humble, ordinary women, suddenly caught up in a great event which would shape world history. Their trusting faith in God and acceptance of his will, shine through.

After Jesus is born, Mary fades into the background, and makes few appearances: when the family visits Jerusalem and she loses her son on the way home; when she urges him to help the wedding party in Cana with its wine problem; and when Jesus gives her into the keeping of the beloved disciple when he is dying on the cross. Mary's last appearance is in Acts chapter one, just before Pentecost.

Mary obviously joined the early Church, but her role was never one of teaching and preaching, and indeed she remained so much in the background that nothing more about her is known for certain. Both Ephesus and Jerusalem have claimed to be the place of her death.

Wikipedia has more information about Mary's Visitation

Text collated by Betty Harrison from Parish Pump and various anthologies/cuttings