Daily Retreat 05/14/09
2009 May 14 Thu:Matthias, ap F
Acts 1:15-17. 20-26/ Ps 112(113):1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7-8/ Jn 15:9-17
From today’s readings: “Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.... The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.... You are My friends if you do what I command you.”
The College of Apostles
Chapter 15 of Acts (the Council of Jerusalem) recounted an instance of the inspired and decisive leadership of the Apostles in the early Church. This was also seen even earlier in the election of Matthias, which was the Church’s first order of business after the Ascension of Jesus.
The “apostolic” foundation is one of the four marks of the Church, which is “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.” The New Testament relates that the Apostles were more than once at odds with one another, yet they managed to preserve and pass on the unity of their faith. To continue their work, they chose Matthias, and after him, a long line of others who were ordained among the college of Apostles, continuing in an unbroken tradition to the bishops of this day.
The apostolic foundation is the anchor of our Christian faith - neither the Pope nor all the bishops together are able to contradict the original teachings of the Apostles in matters of faith and morals. However, disciplinary practices in the Church can change though - for instance, I wouldn’t imagine that bishops today are chosen by drawing lots, as was Matthias! But, what cannot change is the apostolic commitment to appointing successors - even the Pope and all the bishops together could not decide never to ordain more bishops, because such a decision would contradict the apostolic precedent.
Acts 1:15-17. 20-26/ Ps 112(113):1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7-8/ Jn 15:9-17
From today’s readings: “Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.... The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.... You are My friends if you do what I command you.”
The College of Apostles
Chapter 15 of Acts (the Council of Jerusalem) recounted an instance of the inspired and decisive leadership of the Apostles in the early Church. This was also seen even earlier in the election of Matthias, which was the Church’s first order of business after the Ascension of Jesus.
The “apostolic” foundation is one of the four marks of the Church, which is “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.” The New Testament relates that the Apostles were more than once at odds with one another, yet they managed to preserve and pass on the unity of their faith. To continue their work, they chose Matthias, and after him, a long line of others who were ordained among the college of Apostles, continuing in an unbroken tradition to the bishops of this day.
The apostolic foundation is the anchor of our Christian faith - neither the Pope nor all the bishops together are able to contradict the original teachings of the Apostles in matters of faith and morals. However, disciplinary practices in the Church can change though - for instance, I wouldn’t imagine that bishops today are chosen by drawing lots, as was Matthias! But, what cannot change is the apostolic commitment to appointing successors - even the Pope and all the bishops together could not decide never to ordain more bishops, because such a decision would contradict the apostolic precedent.
posted by FrPitstick | 5/11/2009
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