May 14, 2026
St. Matthias the Apostle
Gospel: John 15:9–17

Today the Church solemnly celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Some dioceses, having sought and received permission from the Apostolic See for pastoral reasons, have transferred the celebration to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. According to the General Roman Calendar, today is the Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle. Therefore, mindful of the practical needs of regions where the Ascension is transferred, we also provide a reflection for the Feast of St. Matthias.

Today’s Gospel from St. John continues the discourse of Jesus before His Passion. When we hear Jesus say, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love” (Jn 15:9–10), we may view His commandment as an unbearable imposition. In reality, the commandment Jesus gives us is simple: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus not only taught us this commandment but also fulfilled it perfectly, showing us how to view the world according to God’s design. To see the world rightly, we must learn to let go—to release everything we possess in this world and bravely leave behind our comfortable surroundings. Like St. Matthias, we must courageously go forth to the whole world, bearing witness to the truth and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we follow Christ’s teaching, renouncing our selfish desires and living always according to the Word of God, then His words will abide in us, and His joy will be complete in us. When our hearts are filled with His joy, we will offer fitting prayers to the Heavenly Father, who, in His abundant mercy, will surely grant us every grace we need, according to the teaching of His only Son.

O God, who assigned Saint Matthias to the college of Apostles, grant, through his intercession, that we may so rejoice at the deep love You have shown us, that we may be counted among those You have chosen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica