MATTHIAS - APOSTLE

                        MATTHIAS - APOSTLE

                                by

                         Harriet Shikoski

  

To my Readers;

     Many details included in this story of Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot as an apostle of Jesus, originated in the visions of Ven. Anne Emmerick (1774-1824).  She was a German Augustinian nun who was told in vision that she was privileged to receive more visions than had any other person in history.  Her visions were recorded by Clemens Bretano, arranged and edited by the very Reverend Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R. and translated from German into English.  In my turn I have also picked and arranged the material.

     How true are the details acquired in this fashion?  Even conceding that the private revelations to Sr. Anne Catherine were accurate portrayals, it would be a miracle indeed if they retained such accuracy after passing through so many human minds.  Bible references are included, not in an effort to prove the truth of these events, but to help you compare the two sources.

     Though the total accuracy may be questioned, I still believe that the following story of Matthias captures his true character and helps us to understand the man who took over the Apostleship of Judas.

                        MATTHIAS - APOSTLE

     Very little is known about Matthias, his parentage or his early life.  He heard and accepted John the Baptist's fiery preaching about repentance and making straight the way of the Lord. (Mat 3:1-3)  He was baptized by John and embraced his austere life style.  Like many other disciples, he was led to Jesus through John's guidance.  He began to follow Jesus, becoming His disciple and often traveling with Him on His journeys.

     At Ramoth Matthias had been with Jesus when He had gone among some heathens.  They knew about the journey of the Three Kings and of their having seen the birth of the King of the Jews. (Mat 2:1-2)  These pagans had long sighed for instruction and now they received it from Jesus Himself.  Jesus spoke about the Fall of man and of the promised Redeemer.  He told them that the Jews had not obtained entire possession of the Promised Land, that many heathens still dwelt there, but that He had now come to take possession of all that remained, and unite it to His Kingdom, not, however, by the sword, but by charity and grace. (2Chr 33:7-9)  His words made so deep an impression upon many of His listeners that He sent them to Ainon to be baptized.

     Seven aged men could not longer travel to Ainon.  Jesus allowed them to be baptized immediately by two of the disciples.  At the baptism of these aged pagans Jesus had said, "There are three that give testimony: the Water, the Spirit, and the Blood, and these three are one." (1258 Cat Cath Ch)

    
A basin had been brought and placed before the men while they stood up to the knees in water in a bathing cistern near at hand.  Above the basin was placed a railing upon which they could lean.  Two of the disciples laid their hands on the neophyte's shoulders while Matthias poured water on their heads, one after another.  To dip the water he used a shell, at the end of which was a handle.  Jesus had dictated to the disciples the form of words which they should use.  Then Jesus gave an instruction to the people in general.

     The Levites were not well pleased at Jesus' having visited the heathens, especially when He said that many of these heathens would rank higher in His Kingdom than the children of Israel (Mat 5:19-20), and that He had come to unite, by grace, instruction and baptism, the rightful possessors of the Promised Land, the idolaters whom the Israelites had not expelled.

     Matthias was with Jesus when He taught in the synagogue.  They visited a school of boys and youths whom Jesus questioned, instructed and then took leave.  After a repast, Jesus and His two disciples visited a girl's school.  The girls were between the ages of six and fourteen.  Every day some part of The Law was explained to them.  About ten widows superintended the affairs of the school.  Besides instruction in reading The Law, in writing and in computing, the girls worked at embroidery intended for sale.  The material upon which they worked was woven of very fine wool.  The children worked with fine, colored wool, also with silk, yellow being one of the principal colors.  They did not use needles but little hooks.  Their occupation was assigned them according to their age and talent.  All that the embroiderers needed, such as thread and instruments, was handed to them by the younger ones.  The children showed their work to Jesus.

     Jesus blessed them and instructed them in familiar similitudes drawn from their work.  They presented Him with some of their products which He afterward gave to different synagogues.

     Jesus took leave of them.  He sent some of His disciples away on errands.  Matthias and Andrew alone remained with Him as He continued His travels.

    

     The holy nation of Israel was based upon the twelve tribes originating from the twelve sons of Israel.  As the nation's population increased, its government became more complicated.  A body of seventy men was formed to help guide the nation. (Ex 24:1-2 & Num 11:16-17,24-25)

     At the time of Jesus, Israel's internal affairs were administered by the Sanhedrin, a council having religious, civil and criminal jurisdiction.  The full Sanhedrin was composed of 24 priests (Levites privileged to serve in the Temple), 24 elders (heads of tribes or large expanded families), and 24 scribes (Pharisees trained in The Law).  It had 72 members when all positions were filled.

     When Jesus gathered His followers (His Community) into a governing body, He followed the practice common in His time.  He chose twelve Apostles who were closest to Him. (Mark 3:14-15 & Luke 9:1-2)  He also had a body of about seventy disciples who carried out His wishes in a wider circle. (Luke 10:1,17)

     After the Ascension of Jesus and before the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles and disciples felt very much alone.  They were restless and like people forsaken.  But by the soothing presence of the Blessed Virgin they were comforted, and by putting entire confidence in Jesus' words that she was to be to them a mediatrix, a mother, and an advocate, they regained peace of mind.

     The Apostles kept themselves very much aloof.  They guarded against persecution and gave themselves up to earnest and well regulated prayers.

     In the house of the Last Supper the Apostles gathered together with the Blessed Virgin and many of the disciples.  Peter took the Lord's place in the prayer circle and at meals. (Mat 16:17-19)

     Peter and John, who had been ordained priests at the Last Supper by Jesus, conducted the first Agape (Love Feast) held after the Resurrection.  The Apostles had put on their festal garments.  The Agape was conducted just as the Lord had previously instructed them.  Peter and John gave instructions about the way in which the Blessed Sacrament was to be handled and dispensed.  All that Peter taught was repeated in the self same manner by John.  John and Peter wore a stoles crossed on their breast and fastened with a clamp.  The other Apostles wore stoles over one shoulder, across the front and back, and fastened under the arm with a clamp.

     After this instruction to the Apostles, John received into their company seventeen of the most trusty disciples, those who had been longest with the Lord.  These included Zacheus, Nathanael, Matthias, Joseph Barsabas and others.  John served them while they were washing their feet and putting on festal garments, long white robes and girdles.  The disciples prayed standing, and ate reclining while Peter and John taught.

     Peter was in the house of the Last Supper clothed in his episcopal mantle and standing in the circle formed by the Apostles.  The disciples were gathered in the open side walls.  He told the assembly that the scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas Iscariot who had been numbered among the Twelve, but had betrayed Jesus, for it had been written, "Let his habitation become desolate and let his office be given to another." (Ps 69:25-28)  Peter said the man receiving Judas' office must be someone who had been with them from the time of John's baptism until His Resurrection and Ascension, that he might be a witness to all of Jesus' actions and teachings.

     Peter proposed that Joseph Barsabas or Matthias take the place of Judas.  These two were standing off among the bands of disciples. (Acts 1:15-22)  There were some among the disciples who wanted to be chosen, but the two mentioned had never thought of such a thing, and had no desires on the subject.

     Joseph Barsabas was the son of Mary Cleophas by her second husband Sabas.  He was one of those called Jesus' brothers. (Mat 13:55)  As a close relative of Jesus he had known the Holy Family since his childhood.  He had been baptized by John the Baptist at Ainon at the same time as his half-brothers, James Alpheus, Jude Thaddeus and Simon, were baptized.  After baptism Joseph became one of Jesus' disciples who traveled extensively with Him, helping Him in many ways.  He was one of the "Seventy."

     Matthias had also been a disciple of John the Baptist before he began to follow Jesus, and like Joseph Barsabas had become a familiar assistant to Jesus and His Apostles and one of the "Seventy."

     The next day the lots were cast, Joseph Barsabas and Matthias being excluded from the assembly.  When it was found that the lot had fallen on Matthias, someone went into the disciples' apartment and led him to the Apostles. (Acts 1:26)

     On the eve of Pentecost the followers of Jesus gathered in the Last Supper house.  Peter in his episcopal robe stood at a table covered with red and white cloths, under a lamp in front of the curtained Holy of Holies.  Opposite him in the doorway stood the Blessed Virgin, her face veiled, and behind her the holy women.  The Apostles stood in two rows turned toward Peter.  The disciples ranged behind the Apostles.  All took part in the hymns and prayers.

     Toward morning a luminous cloud descended low over the house and with increasing sound the light became brighter.  There shot from the rushing cloud streams of white light down upon the house and its surroundings.  They were penetrated through and through with light.  The five-branched lamp no longer shone.  The assembled Faithful were ravished in ecstasy.  Each involuntarily threw back his head and raised his eyes eagerly on high, while into each mouth there flowed a stream of light like a burning tongue of fire.  It looked as if they were breathing, as if they were eagerly drinking in the fire, and as if their ardent desire flamed forth from their mouth to meet the entering flame.  The flames descended on each in different colors and in different degrees of intensity.  A new life full of joy, of confidence and of courage had been infused in all.  Their joy found vent in Thanksgiving.  They ranged for prayer, gave thanks, and praised God with great emotion. (Acts 2:1-4)

     In the house of the Last Supper, Peter, imposing hands on them, conferred ordination on five of the Apostles who were to help teach and baptize at the Pool of Bethsaida. (John 5:2)  They were James Alpheus, Bartholomew, Matthias, Thomas and Jude Thaddeus.  Before departing for the Pool of Bethsaida to consecrate the water and administer baptism, they received on their knees the benediction of the Blessed Virgin.  Before Jesus' Ascension, this ceremony was performed standing.  On the following days this blessing was given whenever the Apostles left the house and also on their return.

     The Pool of Bethsaida was oval in form and surrounded by five terraces like an amphitheater.  Five flights of steps led down to the pool from these terraces to the little trough-like skiffs in which the sick who were seeking a cure were laid when waiting to be sprinkled by the bubbling waters.  There was also in the pool a copper pump which rose to nearly the height of a man above the surface of the water, and was about as large around as a churn.  A little wooden bridge with a railing led to it.  By the bridge was a tube and piston which were connected with the pump.  By changes made in the opening, the stream could be increased or diminished, and made to flow in different directions.  The top of the pump could be closed also, and from side jets, the streams could be made to spurt all around like water from a watering pot.

     The entrance to the pool was usually closed.  It was opened for the sick only.  This pump had been out of order, and on the feast of Pentecost had not yet been repaired.  It was restored a few days later.  The terrace walls contained little vaulted halls in which were stone benches hollowed out in the form of a trough.  They were for the accommodation for the sick.  They could from all sides look down to see if the waters were being stirred or not.  The bottom of the pool was covered with shining white sand, through which three springs bubbled up and sometimes jutted above the surface of the water.

     The whole pool had been out of use, for it , as well as its surroundings, had been allowed to fall into decay.  Only some poor people with lively faith still held it in veneration and visited it.  After the healing of the paralytic by Jesus, the pool was again more frequented, though all the more hateful to the Pharisees. (John 5:2-9)

     Baptism at the Pool of Bethsaida had been arranged by Jesus Himself for this day's feast, and the disciples had, in consequence, made all kinds of preparations at the pool, as well as in the old synagogue they had appropriated for their own use.

     The Apostles and disciples went in solemn procession, two by two, from the house of the Last Supper to the pool.  Some of the disciples carried a leather bottle of holy water and an asperges.  The five Apostles upon whom Peter had imposed hands separated, each taking one of the five entrances to the pool.  They addressed the people with great enthusiasm.  Peter stepped upon the teacher's chair that had been prepared for him in the third circle of the pool counting from the outside one.  This terrace was the broadest.  The crowd filled all the terraces of the pool.  When the Apostles spoke, the multitude was amazed, for every one listened to what sounded to him like his own language. (Acts 2:5-15)

     The preparations for baptism and the baptism itself occupied the whole day.  The neophytes approached Peter's chair in bands and by turns, the other Apostles preaching and baptizing at the entrances.  The Blessed Virgin and the holy women were busy in the synagogue near the pool distributing the white garments to the neophytes.

     The neophytes leaned upon a railing.  The water was scooped up in a basin and then, with the hand, poured three times over the head.  It flowed again through a channel into the pool below.  One basin held enough water for about ten couples.  Every two baptized gave place to two neophytes upon whom they laid their hands as sponsor.  Those baptized where were they who had received John's baptism only.  The holy women were baptized too.  The Jews had a ceremony of baptism which was performed by priests.  It consisted only of a sprinkling of water and other purifications.  The Jews baptized women, but the baptism of Jesus and John was not conferred upon women before Pentecost.  The people added to the Community that day amounted three thousand. (Acts 2:41)

     On the following days also preaching and baptizing went on at the pool.  Before the Apostles and disciples went down for these duties they received the blessing of the Blessed Virgin.

     An old synagogue in the vicinity of the Pool of Bethsaida was dilapidated and no longer used.  After Pentecost the Apostles and disciples worked continuously to repair it and convert it into a church.  Weaving, plaiting and every kind of work for the new church and for the poor were carried on by the Faithful.  At one end of the church was an altar placed at such a distance from the wall that sufficient space was left behind for a sacristy, which was formed by wickerwork screens that reached from the altar to the side walls.  On the altar was a bell shaped tabernacle.  On either side of the tabernacle were branched lamps with burning wicks.

     From the raised altar down to the pulpit was a space set aside for the choir ceremonies of the Apostles and disciples.  They sang choir and choir.  They assembled twice each day, in the evening until after dark, and before dawn in the morning.  The floor of the church was covered with colored carpets.  The Faithful entered barefoot.  All the baptized since Pentecost were instructed in the Bethsaida church upon the Blessed Sacrament and prepared for It's reception.

     The number of the Faithful continued to increase. (Acts 6:7)  Many came to join them, especially from around the Galilean Sea.  It kept the disciples busy procuring food and shelter for them.  The newcomers generally stopped first at the disciples' inn outside Bethania where the disciples stayed in turn to receive the strangers, and give them advice and directions.  Many were sent to Lazarus, who owned many houses and dwellings.  Besides the house of the Last Supper there was another on Mount Sion, a very large, dilapidated old building, the Citadel of David.  Numerous faithful found shelter under its surroundings.  They dwelt in huts, or in lodges adjoining them.  Some people dwelt below in massive walls, while over their top were erected tents of coarse tapestry.

     Some newcomers gave for the good of the Community quantities of materials, fine and coarse wool, carpets, canvas for tents, all in great rolls.  Lazarus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea delivered all they owned to the Community.  They assumed the charge of providing for the Community and distributing alms.

     Garments for religious service and baptism were made out of some of it.  Some were given to the needy, all of whom were cared for by the Community.  The women received their portion through the hands of women, the men from men.

     The Apostles themselves lent a hand in preparing the dwellings of the newcomers.  They provided the poor with food and clothing.  No one had anything of their own.  He that brought something with him gave it up, and he who had nothing received something. (Acts 2:44-47)

     The newly converted and baptized became so numerous after Pentecost that the Apostles had to negotiate with the Jewish magistrates for procuring suitable dwelling places.  Three places outside the city and distant from the usual routes were assigned the converts.  In exchange for these the disciples had to vacate the inn on the road outside Bethania.

     Before choosing seven deacons the Apostles gathered around Peter, where they assisted him in solemn ceremony.  After all had received Communion from Peter he addressed a large crowd of disciples and new converts in the entrance hall.  He said, among other things, that it was not becoming for the Word of God to be neglected for the care of clothing and nourishment.  Lazarus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea could no longer oversee the temporal interests of the Community as they had been doing, for they had now become priests.  Then he added some words relative to the order observed in the distribution of alms, of household affairs, of widows and orphans.

     Stephen, a slender handsome youth, stepped forward and offered himself for the services needed.  Parmenas and others did the same.  Peter laid his hands upon them and gave them stoles, crossed under their arms. (Acts 6:1-6)  After that the treasures and goods of the Community were delivered over to the seven deacons, and for their accommodation was assigned the house of Joseph of Arimathea.  John Mark helped them.  The money was carried on asses and consisted of bags filled with different kinds of coins.  Some were like little stalks twisted together into screws, others like stamped plate strung together on a little chain, and others again were in small oval leaves.  Most of the movables consisted of large packs of different materials, coverlets, clothing, also numbers of vessels and various kinds of furniture suitable for plain housekeeping.

     On the day following the giving over of Joseph of Arimathea's house to the deacons, the Apostles dispersed into Judea.

     Persecutions of the Christians increased.  Peter and John were arrested. (Act 4:1-4)  Stephen was stoned to death.  The Apostles and disciples spread out into other parts of the world: the Decapolis, Syria, Media, Chaldea, Greece, Armenia, Egypt and others.  The Apostles spread out wherever they could, preaching, baptizing and bringing His message throughout the whole known world.

     As the Blessed Virgin felt the end of her life was approaching, in accordance with the direction of her Divine Son, she called the Apostles to her by prayer.  Before His Ascension Jesus had made known to His most holy Mother what she should say at the end of her earthly life to the Apostles and some of the disciples who would be with her at that time.

     The first to arrive in her house prepared a place suitable for prayer and the offering of the Holy Sacrifice.  There was an altar covered with a red cloth and over it a white one.  On it stood a Crucifix, white like mother-of-pearl.  The altar had before it a stand with rolls of scripture hanging over it.

     When the Apostles went all together into Mary's sleeping room they wore their long white albs and broad mantles.  She prayed over each and blessed him with her hands laid upon him.  When Peter stepped up to the couch he had a roll of Scriptures in his hand.  Mary addressed them in a body, and did all that Jesus had in Bethania directed her to do.

     Peter bore the Blessed Sacrament to Mary in the cross hanging on his breast.  John carried a shallow dish holding the chalice containing the Most Sacred Blood.  After Communion Mary spoke no more.

     The women covered the blessed remains with a sheet, then covered the furniture, even the fireplace.  Then they veiled themselves and prayed together.

     Matthias and Andrew were busy preparing the place of burial, which was the little grotto that Mary and John had arranged at the end of the Mary's Way of the Cross, to represent the Holy Sepulchre of Christ.

     When it was time to bear the coffin to the grotto, Peter and John raised it from the litter, carried it on their hands through the door, and laid it again on the litter outside.  Six of the Apostles carried it in turn.

     Before the Apostles left Mary's house to journey again to distant parts, they rendered the grotto of the tomb wholly inaccessible by raising an embankment of earth before the entrance.  Above the grotto they built a chapel of wood and wickerwork, and hung it with mats and tapestry.  The apartment of the house in which Mary had had her oratory and sleeping alcove was converted into a little church.  The Apostles with tears and embraces took leave of one another after they had once more celebrated solemn service in Mary's house.  It was the last time they met together.  Later the Apostles would stop and visit this chapel whenever they would be in the vicinity.

     Matthias continued his life of strict chastity and austerity in the tradition of John the Baptist whom he had originally followed.  He insisted on the importance of mortification. (Rom 8:12-14 & Col 3:5)  He taught that one should "treat the flesh with contempt", and that his converts could not "serve two masters, pleasure and the Lord." (Mat 6:24)  He taught his followers to distance themselves from all worldly desires and to nourish the soul through faith and knowledge.

     Tradition says that Matthias, who had taken over the allotted ministry of Judas Iscariot, preached in Armenia, Scythia and possibly Ethiopia, before returning to Jerusalem where he was martyred with an axe.

     Matthias, by his martyrdom, gave supreme witness to the truth of his faith, a witness even unto death.  He passed from death into the fullness of life and joined his Lord.