I chose you . . . to go and bear fruit that will last . . . (John 15: 16)
On this feast of St. Matthias, the call of Matthias makes me think: I may not have chosen Judas, but Jesus did! Jesus loves us and wants us to love him and love him in ALL others, regardless of how one thinks, what one thinks, where one lives, the color of one’s skin, or one’s political leanings.
It’s hard not to judge others, but Jesus mentions LOVE ONE ANOTHER how many times in today’s Gospel? Does THAT tell me something? How do I really love others? Especially with new Easter life on the journey to the heavenly mansion, I really want to see Jesus living in Hispanics, Islamics, African-Americans, Europeans, Asians, Africans, ALL people the world over, especially those who live in U.S., regardless of how they got here. How did I get here? How did we all get here?
What are my attitudes toward others? Am I discriminating in how I look at them or treat them? Do I talk to them or distance myself from them? How can I bear fruit that will last? “The Lord will give him a seat . . .”
Matthias received the support of the early Church. Will our immigrants, refugees and migrants receive the support of our citizens and country to be given a seat here? What will it take for us as a country to follow Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you”?
Sr. Julie Marie Wolf, CPPS
O’Fallon, Mo.