Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 14 May 2027

15 In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said: (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty:)

16 Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus:

17 Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

R. (8) The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

1 Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.

R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.

4 The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens.

R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

5 Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high:

6 And looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?

R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

7 Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:

8 That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people.

R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

16 I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

9 As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.

10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father’s commandments, and do abide in his love.

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled.

12 This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you.

15 I will not now call you servants: for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth. But I have called you friends: because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you.

16 You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

The apostles faced an unsettled moment after Judas’s departure. They did not replace him by personal preference or ambition; they prayed to the Lord who knows every heart and trusted him to show whom he had chosen. Matthias was then numbered among them as a witness to the resurrection. The psalm gives the deeper perspective: God raises the needy and seats them among the leaders of his people. Christian ministry begins in God’s choice and depends on his grace.

Jesus explains what this choice is for. Those he chooses are to remain in his love, keep his commandments, and bear fruit that lasts. Their authority is inseparable from friendship with him, and friendship with Christ takes the shape of love willing to give itself for others. The apostles’ prayer and Matthias’s calling therefore lead us to a simple examination of our own discipleship: are we abiding in Christ’s love enough for it to become visible in patient service, faithful obedience, and generous care? The Lord who chooses also gives the joy and strength needed to love as he has loved.

Lord Jesus, you know every heart and you call whom you choose to share in your work. Keep me close to you, rooted in the love you receive from the Father. Teach me to recognize your will with humility and to trust your wisdom when the path is not clear. Make my obedience fruitful, so that my words and actions may bear lasting witness to your resurrection. Give me the courage to love as you have loved, serving without seeking recognition and offering myself for the good of others. Fill me with your joy and make me a faithful friend. Amen.