Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 Psalm 1

Today’s lesson from Acts fast-forwards to the actions of the apostles in the aftermath of Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  We celebrated the Ascension – the fortieth day of Easter – this past Thursday.  The resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples at various times and places during these forty days after the resurrection up until the time he ascended into heaven.  It was during these days that Jesus made the promise to send “an advocate,” which we know to be the Holy Spirit.  The words that we read in the beginning of the first chapter of Acts, prior to today’s lesson, are the words that Jesus spoke to his disciples as he was ascending into heaven, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Fast-forwarding to today’s lesson, we read the interesting account of the choosing of Matthias – an account that seems to describe a primitive equivalent of a modern-day lottery.  For these 120 followers who are gathered listening to Peter’s words, casting lots was an ancient tradition for the purpose of discerning God’s guidance.  And, twelve is a sacred number that represents wholeness and perfection.  It was urgent and necessary that the one who was lost, Judas Iscariot, be replaced so that wholeness and perfection could be reestablished.  And, so the followers pray for God’s guidance as the lots are cast to choose between the two proposed candidates.  Interestingly, Joseph called Barsabbas was not chosen, yet we know just as much about him as we know about Matthias.  Neither is mentioned again in the Bible; our only additional knowledge of Matthias is from extra-biblical history.

We can assume that Matthias was an ordinary man.  We can all reflect on many ordinary people who have come into our lives and changed us in dramatic ways.  We might think of Matthias as representing the ordinary among us that is made sacred and holy by God for his mission in this world.

Last week we heard Jesus’ words to his band of frightened and confused disciples on the night before he went to the cross.  Jesus said, “You did not choose me but I chose you.  And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” [John 15:16a]

So, too, Matthias was chosen.  This ordinary man, no different from any of us, was chosen to bring completion to the broken portion of the circle of twelve; made sacred for the purpose of carrying the mission of Christ into the world.

From the time of Abraham, the Hebrew people have been considered God’s Chosen People – chosen not as elitists, privileged with a life of leisure and prosperity, but chosen to carry the incredible responsibility of preserving and handing down the word of God to the thousands of generations that were to come.  The Hebrew people have upheld that responsibility even in the face of grave danger and brutal earthly destruction.  And, with the coming of Jesus Christ to earth, we acknowledge the adoption of all who believe; we too are chosen and made sacred for the fulfillment of the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.

We are ordinary, yet we are the chosen sacred children of God.  Because we possess this awareness of the Good News of Jesus Christ, we bear this enormous responsibility as chosen messengers – apostles called to share this incredible message.

Since the first century, since that day of Ascension, Christians have lived in this “in between” – the period after the Resurrection and the Ascension AND the return of Christ.  Along with these first followers, we continue to anticipate.  We do not choose Jesus; Jesus chooses us, as God chose Matthias for his very special mission.  The lot has fallen upon us; we are baptized by water and the spirit – sealed as Christ’s own forever, working toward the completion and perfection of the mission of Jesus Christ; the mission left to us as Jesus the Son ascended to be with the Father; the mission continuing until we are all gathered together as one holy and complete Body of our Lord.

The lot has fallen upon us.  The mission of Jesus Christ is our responsibility.  We are called to share the Good News.

Our Gospel lesson for today is Jesus’ prayer to the Father – a prayer on our behalf, a high priestly prayer.  Carry this prayer with you as you reflect on your place as God’s chosen child.