St Matthias – the Apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot – “(c. 1611) by Peter Paul Rubens...”
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Monday, February 24, 2025, is the Feast of St. Matthias, the Apostle who replaced Judas:
[A]ccording to the Acts of the Apostles, [he] was the apostle chosen by the remaining eleven apostles to replace Judas Iscariot following Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and suicide. His calling as an apostle is unique in that his appointment was not made personally by Jesus, who had already ascended to heaven, and, it was made before the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the early Church.
Isaac Asimov described how Matthias became an Apostle:
Peter arranged to have a new individual selected to take the place of Judas Iscariot in order to bring the number of the inner circle back to the mystical twelve that matched the twelve tribes of Israel. Two were nominated, Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. To choose between the two, lots were used, as told in Acts 1:26, “and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Neither Joseph Barsabbas nor Matthias are mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament.
Since there’s no other mention of Matthias in the Bible, we know next to nothing about him. But there are theories. For example, Wikipedia suggested that “Matthias was originally Zacchaeus.” (Remember, the tax collector Zacchaeus who climbed a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus? He had a hard time both as he was short and because of the crowd of people.)
So, was Saint Matthias reallyZacchaeus, who fell from a sycamore tree?
Whatever the answer, the now-defunct article – Overlooked Apostle – went into great detail about how much Matthias suffered – and how he ultimately died. Like, he preached in Macedonia and Ethiopia, where “the heathen dragged him over the ground, beat him, hung him from a pillar and tore his stomach with an iron blade and burned him with fire.” Another town he preached in was a “city of the man-eaters,” cannibals. When Matthias came in “the men of that city took hold of him and thrust out his eyes and made him drink poison and sent him to the prison where he sat for thirty days waiting to be eaten and die.” But the Lord appeared to him and got his eyesight back for him, as well as other prisoners who’d suffered the same fate. The site also said Matthias was rescued by the Apostle Andrew; “as Andrew approached the gates of the prison, the doors opened of their own accord.” (But see also Matthias the Apostle – Wikipedia, which said “information concerning the ministry and death of Matthias is vague and contradictory, and that Hippolytus of Rome said Matthias “died of old age in Jerusalem.”)
That Wikipedia account may be true but it’s also a whole lot more boring! (And which indicates how internet users need to Lateral Read and check sources, including but not limited to claims seeming outrageous – or “not boring.”) Getting back to the now-defunct “Overlooked” article, it said eventually Matthias returned to Galilee where he was stoned to death. “The Jews, filled with malice and anger, seized Matthias and presented him to the High Priest, Annas.” The High Priest, who “hated all Christians and was responsible for the death of James, the first bishop of Jerusalem, ordered that Matthias be stoned.” One point of note: Overlooked Apostle said that when Matthias was taken to be stoned, he cried out, “You hypocrites, rightly did the Prophet David speak to those like you: ‘they shall hunt down the soul of the righteous man, and the innocent blood shall they condemn.’” (Which sounds strangely pertinent these days.)
After Matthias spoke these words, two witnesses who claimed he’d blasphemed picked up stones to be the first to stone him. But first, Matthias asked that these stones be buried with him as a testimony of his suffering for the Lord. So they stoned him to death, and as an added insult, also beheaded him to express that he was an enemy of Rome. So whether St. Matthias died by being first stoned and then beheaded, or had his eyes gouged out, then “sat for thirty days waiting to be eaten and die,” the lesson is: Being an apostle was no piece of cake!
Another lesson? Maybe there’s a reason the “Overlooked” piece is NOW DEFUNCT, but the main point remains: Trying to be a good Christian has never been a “piece of cake.” (And these days it’s mostly a pain in the ass.) As to who was Matthias, and how did he die? That’s one puzzle we Good Christians can work on this Lent. (As a spiritual discipline?) There’s also that whole controversy, “should I judge my fellow Christians?” I’ll explore that topic in a near-future post, in which I’ll revisit the March 2019 post, On the Bible’s “dynamic tension,” featuring Charles Atlas.
The Book of Common Prayer reference: The “corporate-mystical” prayer is on page 339, the post-communion prayer for Holy Eucharist, Rite I.
“Feast days” are designated days on the liturgical (church) calendar “set aside to commemorate events, saints, or doctrines that are important in the life of the Church. These can range from Solemnities, which are the highest-ranking feast days like Easter and Christmas, to optional memorials that celebrate lesser-known saints.” Feast Days: Celebrating the Church’s Calendar.
Re: “Isaac.” The quote is from Asimov’s Guide to the Bible (Two Volumes in One), Avenel Books (1981), page 998. Asimov was “an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards.” His list of books included those on “astronomy, mathematics, the Bible, William Shakespeare’s writing, and chemistry.” He was a long-time member of Mensa, “albeit reluctantly; he described some members of that organization as ‘brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs.’” See Isaac Asimov – Wikipedia.
Re: That “mostly a pain in the ass” comment. Which may be true of this earthly incarnation, but there is that “you have already won your game of life” part. (John 6:37 and Romans 10:9.)
The Book of Common Prayer says that by sharing Holy Communion, Christians become “very members incorporate in the mystical body” of Jesus. The words “corporate” and “mystical” are key. They show that a healthy church has two sides, with the often-overlooked “mystic” side posing the question, “How do I experience God?” This blog will try to answer that.
It has four main themes. The first is that God will accept anyone. (John 6:37.) The second is that God wants us to live lives of abundance.(John 10:10.) The third is that Jesus wants us to read the Bible with an open mind. (As it says in Luke 24:45: “Then He [Jesus] opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”) The fourth theme – another one often overlooked – is that Jesus wants us to do even greater miracles than He did. (John 14:12.)
And this thought ties them together:
The best way to live abundantlyanddo greater miracles than Jesus is: Read, study and apply the Bible with an open mind. For more see the notes or – to expand your mind – see the Intro.
In the meantime:
Make that Professor Molly. That is, the next major Feast Day is for St. Matthias, February 24. I’ll cover that in a week or so, but in the meantime, about Molly Worthen, the Professor.
My Sabbath starts on Saturday evening at 6:00, and runs to 6:00 Sunday evening. (See Psalm 55:17, and the Notes.) During that time – not counting time in church – I watch “Great Courses Plus.” Specifically, lectures on church and Bible subjects, and one of my favorites is Professor Worthen’s History of Christianity II. Last weekend I re-watched her Lecture 2, “Luther and the Dawn of Protestantism.” What caught my attention – this time around – was her saying that Martin Luther was known for his vulgar insults. “He let his dirty mouth run wild.”
She cited an example from his Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope; in this case, Pope Leo X. Luther wrote, “I can in good conscience consider him a fart-ass and an enemy of God.” Why did that catch my eye? Because for over a year now I’ve worried about my own “vulgar tongue.” (Which can mean a “national or vernacular language of a people,” typically used in contrast to the use of a language like Latin, as in Luther’s time.)
Worthen talked on about Luther’stoilet humor and “potty mouth,” though in my case I worry more about repeated negative aspersions mostly having to do with the dubious family lineage of certain politicians I see as un-Christian. Which is itself un-Christian, since Jesus told us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” while Paul wrote that Christ died for the ungodly, whoever you think they may be. (Matthew 5:44 and Romans 5:6, respectively.)
Then too I sometimes blurt out “Hang the [expletive deleted]” at the mention certain politicians I see as especially un-Christian. I don’t want to go to hell – certainly not for that – so I’ve been a bit worried lately. But Molly’s take on Martin Luther has given me some considerable comfort.
Anyway. Molly went on to say Luther’s humor “can be hilarious to read,” and that his vulgarity was part of his personality. But he also had theological reasons; for example, he said there should be no “lofting the words of God way above the heads of most people.” (In his time services were all in Latin.) He used the bawdy, dirty language that – he said – conveyed the idiom of the German people, “the way people talked.” (Normal, everyday people that is.)
On the same note he translated the Bible into German, just so those normal everyday people could read it for themselves. That way they wouldn’t have to trust local priests to tell them what the Bible said. He also thumbed his nose at the idea of trying to live perfectly, “to score points with God.” His take was, “Sin boldly! But believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly.”
That is, he took Apostle Paul at his word; that following The Law won’t save you. It’s Christ’s sacrifice that saves. Sola fide, “justification by faith alone,” though Luther added that as good Christians we should respect the law, both secular and scriptural. Or as Paul put it, works should be seen as “crucial evidence of faith, but the works themselves do not determine salvation.” (Then there’s 2 Corinthians 3:6, where Paul said the letter of the law kills, while its spirit gives life, as illustrated for “common people” through the Calvin cartoon below.)
So, did Luther go to hell for his vulgar, insulting language? More important, am I going to hell for my lapses into “vulgarity?” According to John 6:37 and Romans 10:9 I’d say no, but who wants to take chances? Then there’s his emphasis on spreading the Good News of Jesus in the idiom of common folk, with language mirroring “the way people talked.” (Normal, everyday people.) After all, if you were going on a mission to China, you’d talk to them in Chinese, right?
And speaking of messages from God and maybe even “preordained before the beginning of time:” I published this post late last night, February 17, 2025. So imagine my surprise – early this morning – when I went to do my Daily Office Bible readings. (Where the “DOR” in Dorscribe comes from.) Only to find out that the Satucket website listed today, February 18, as a special feast day for Martin Luther, “Pastor and Reformer (18 FEB 1546).” And learned again that even Catholics now recognize the good work he did; “Today, his criticisms of the laxness and frequent abuses of his day are generally recognized on all sides as a response to very real problems.” Including the very people he attacked so vehemently those long centuries ago.
Which could be good news, since one big problem today – in these times of harsh political polarization – is that nearly half of Americans think that anyone with an opposing political view is not “simply wrong but evil.” So what’s the good news? Maybe some day – four or five hundred years from now – most Americans will stop thinking that the other half of the country is evil and maybe even start respecting each other’s opinions. (“Is that a pig flying?”)
To get the ball rolling I’ll borrow a page from Luther’s playbook and offer this: “You know, all things considered, trying to be a good Christian these days is really a pain in the ass!” Maybe even indulge in a “Hang the [expletive deleted]” once in a while, and go from there…
The Book of Common Prayer reference: The “corporate-mystical” prayer is on page 339, the post-communion prayer for Holy Eucharist, Rite I.
“Feast days” are designated days on the liturgical (church) calendar “set aside to commemorate events, saints, or doctrines that are important in the life of the Church. These can range from Solemnities, which are the highest-ranking feast days like Easter and Christmas, to optional memorials that celebrate lesser-known saints.” Feast Days: Celebrating the Church’s Calendar.
Re: St. Matthias. The full link is to 2022’s St. Matthias, Zacchaeus, and the tough life of an Apostle. Among other things it posed the musical question, “Was Saint Matthias – who took the place of Judas – reallyZacchaeus, who fell from a sycamore tree?” The answer is coming up…
Re: Hebrew Sabbath. Technically, “Shabbat begins when the sun goes down on Friday, and ends on Saturday when the sky gets dark enough for three stars to be visible.” Shabbat Starting and Ending Times – yahadut.org. So as noted, I set the regular time for my Sabbath as from 6:00 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday. During that time – not including time in church – I watch “Great Courses Plus” lectures on spiritual and Bible subjects, such as Molly’s History of Christianity II.
[The term] indicates that profanity has been censored from a text by the author or by a subsequent censor, usually appearing in place of the profanity. The phrase has been used for this purpose since at least the 1930s, but became more widely used in the United States after the Watergate scandal.
On the topic of casting aspersions on the lineage of certain politicians you see as un-Christian (etc.), see (for some justification) Political Polarization is Not Unique to the U.S., but its Causes Are, October 24, 2024, which led with this: “About ten years ago, political scientist James Adams saw something troubling. New polls asked Americans whether they agreed or disagreed that people in the opposing political party weren’t simply wrong but evil. Nearly half of people from both political parties agreed.” Or Google “political polarization definition” for more. (I.e., “I’m not the only one!”)
On “Luther in hell?” See The reprieve of Martin Luther – Ministry Magazine: “After more than 400 years of consignment to hell, Martin Luther has been readmitted to the body of Christ by Roman Catholic leaders.”Which also reassured me.
BTW: Romans 10:9 says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” period.(“No ifs ands or buts.”)
As noted in the opening blurb, this blog has four main themes. The first is that God will accept anyone. (John 6:37, with the added, “Anyone who comes to Him.”) This is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. From the Old Testament, Psalm 9:10, “You never forsake those who seek you, O Lord.” (In the Version in the Book of Common Prayer.)The second is that God wants us to live abundantly. (John 10:10.) The third is that we should do greater miracles than Jesus. (John 14:12). A fourth theme: The only way to do all that is read the Bible with an open mind:
…closed-mindedness, or an unwillingness to consider new ideas, can result from the brain’s natural dislike for ambiguity. According to this view, the brain has a “search and destroy” relationship with ambiguity and evidence contradictory to people’s current beliefs tends to make them uncomfortable… Research confirms that belief-discrepant-closed-minded persons have less tolerance for cognitive inconsistency…
So in plain words, I take issue withwhat I came to call “Christian first graders.” Those who stay in a kind of elementary school, and maybe even never go beyond first grade. See John the Baptist, ’24 – and “Christian First Graders,” for more detail. But the key point: “The Bible was designed to expand your mind,” not keep it narrow.Also, the idea that “Jesus was anything but negative. His goal was for you to grow and develop into all that you can be.” (For more on that see ABOUT THE BLOG, above.)
However, afterboot camp, you move on to Advanced Individual Training.And as noted in “Buck private,” one of this blog’s themes is that if you want to be all that you can be, you need to go on and explore the “mystical side of Bible reading.*”In other words, exploring the mystical side of the Bible helps you “be all that you can be.” See Slogans of the U.S. Army – Wikipedia, re: the recruiting slogan from 1980 to 2001. The related image at left is courtesy of: “toywonders.com/productcart/pc/catalog/aw30.jpg.”
Re: “mystical.” Originally, mysticism “referred to the Biblical liturgical, spiritual, and contemplative dimensions of early and medieval Christianity.” See Mysticism – Wikipedia, and the post On originalism. (“That’s what the Bible was originally about!”)See also Christian mysticism – Wikipedia, “In early Christianity theterm ‘mystikos’ referred to three dimensions, which soon becameintertwined, namely the biblical, the liturgical and the spiritual or contemplative… The third dimension is the contemplative or experiential knowledge of God.” As to that “experiential” aspect, see also Wesleyan Quadrilateral – Wikipedia, on the theological reflection method using four sources of spiritualdevelopment: scripture, tradition, reason, and “Christian experience.”
For an explanation of the Daily Office – where “Dorscribe” came from – see What’s a DOR?
