Post-feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Apostle Matthias.
Polyeleos Feast. Dormition Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Acts 1:12-17, 21-26; Luke 9:1-6.
Read Luke 9:1-6
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today we celebrate the holy apostle Matthias and continue to celebrate the post-feast of the Transfiguration. In the Gospel passage at Divine Liturgy, we hear that “Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Lk. 9:1). However, we know that after betraying Jesus, Judas took his own life. The end of the Gospel of Matthew recounts that after His Resurrection, Jesus spoke to the eleven remaining disciples on a mountain in Galilee saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:16-20). Earlier in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus even tells them, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Mt. 18:18). Jesus possesses total authority in both heaven and on earth, and it is amazing that He chooses to share this authority with His apostles, to those He calls to ministry! Shortly after Christ’s Ascension, Peter stood up in the midst of approximately 120 disciples and mentioned the need to replace Judas in the twelve. They casted lots, and Matthias whose memory we celebrate today was chosen (See Acts 1:15-26).
Today’s Gospel reading also tells us that Jesus instructed His disciples to “take nothing for the journey” (Lk. 9:3). He was teaching them the importance of complete dependence on God. However, before the account of His passion and death, Jesus tells them instead, “When I sent you out without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything? . . . But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one” (Lk. 22:35-36). Today’s passage reveals that Jesus was first teaching His disciples to be completely dependent on God, but the later passage reveals that it’s also necessary to be cunning and prudent and prepared for the challenges life throws at us. To be dependent on God is the more important lesson and should always come first in our lives.