Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
Today, February 24, 2021 is when the Christian Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle. The Church remembers Matthias as the apostle that filled the vacancy resulting from the suicide of Judas Iscariot. After his election, the Bible never mentions him again.
This post is devoted to one of the Feast Days that the historic Christian Church regularly observed that are generally neglected today. I pray that you find this message beneficial in your devotions this or another day.
“Saint Matthias is one of the lesser known apostles. According to the Early Church Fathers, Matthias was one of the seventy-two sent out by Jesus in Luke 10:1-20. After the ascension, Matthias was chosen by lot to fill the vacancy in the Twelve resulting from the death of Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:16-25). Early Church tradition places Matthias in a number of locations. Some historians suggest that he went to Ethiopia; others place him in Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity as a national religion. Martyred for his faith, Matthias may well have met his death at Colchis in Asia Minor, around AD 50. The Church of St. Matthias at Trier, Germany, claims the honor of being the final burial site for Matthias, the only one of the Twelve to be buried in Europe north of the Alps.” 1
The verse or theme for this feast is “Alleluia. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Alleluia.” It is from Matthew 11:28.
Old Testament Isaiah 66:1-2
Psalm Psalm 134 (antiphon Psalm 133:1)
Second Acts 1:15-26
Gospel Matthew 11:25-30
The hymn appointed for this day is “‘How Shall They Hear,’ Who Have Not Heard” as found on page 831 in the Lutheran Service Book. As this is not a frequently used hymn, I regret I was unable to find a suitable recording.
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, You chose Your servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve. Grant that Your Church, ever preserved from false teachers, may be taught and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Pastor Jim Tuell
1 Treasury of Daily Prayer, Scot A Kinnaman, General Editor, Concordia Publishing House, Saint Louis, MO., 2008, p, 1236.
