What was their criterion for selecting apostles?

It was that they were witnesses;

people who could testify to the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

“we have a great and beautiful responsibility.

allow ourselves to encounter Christ and, conformed to him, lead men in his ways.”

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

It was during

This time that Peter stood up in the midst of the community, about one hundred and twenty in all,

and he said, "Brothers, it was necessary that the Scriptures referring to Judas be fulfilled.

The Holy Spirit had spoken through David about the one who would lead the crowd coming to arrest Jesus.

He was one of our number and had been called to share our common ministry.

 

In the Book of Psalms it is written: Let his house become deserted and may no one live in it.

But it is also written: May another take his office. Therefore,

we must choose someone from among those who were with us during all the time that the Lord Jesus moved about with us,

beginning with John's baptism until the day when Jesus was taken away from us.

One of these has to become, with us, a witness to his resurrection."

 

Then they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias.

They prayed: "You know, Lord, what is in the hearts of all. Show us, therefore,

which of the two you have chosen to replace Judas in this apostolic ministry which he deserted to go to the place he deserved."

Then they drew lots between the two and the choice fell on Matthias who was added to the eleven apostles.

 

Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 15:9-17

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love! You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments,

just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

I have told you all this that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

This is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you!

There is no greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends; and you are my friends, if you do what I command you.

 

I shall not call you servants any more, because servants do not know what their master is about.

Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.

You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.

And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. This is my command, that you love one another.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Spend more time in Christ's presence."

Pope Francis stated that the missionary activity of the Church "does not arise simply from our own abilities,

plans and projects, nor from our sheer willpower or our efforts to practice the virtues;

it is the result of a profound experience in the company of Jesus. Only then can we testify to a Person,

a Life, and thus become 'apostles'." After the death of Judas,

the Apostles were looking for someone to replace him so that the full complement of twelve would be restored.

 

What was their criterion for selecting candidates? It was that they were witnesses; people who could testify to the life,

death and resurrection of Christ. Without that profound experience of Christ's company,

their testimony would be weak and lack credibility.

 

They chose two candidates with suitable experience and left it in God's hands by drawing lots,

and Matthias was chosen. We are all called to be members of a missionary Church, a People that professes its faith in Christ from experience.

This is the root of our testimony and the corroboration of its credibility.

To be effective in the Church's mission, we need to spend more time in Christ's presence, truly becoming his "friends."