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 Judas Iscariot
Dear Lord,
 What am I to make of Judas Iscariot? You chose him to be among your twelve most trusted companions. But he betrayed You with a kiss, gave You over to torture and certain death for 30 pieces of silver...
I know that over the years artists have pictured Judas as having red hair, which
is seen in every nationality, but always as an exception in a minority of people. The intent was, of course, to make Judas an "other," distancing him from most of us.And so, we breathe a sigh of relief: We are not traitors: We are better than him.
But meditating seriously on Judas does force us to think of our own loyalty, or lack thereof, to our friends, acquaintances or even family. Might we desert them in their hour of greatest need?
Have we not all acted at some time in the manner of Judas, not leading someone to death, not collecting 30 pieces of silver, but perhaps savaging a reputation behind
a "friend's" back, or standing in in the way of another's success or happiness? We are none of us innocent.
I beg you Lord, help me always to stand up for my companions, deal with them honestly, and be always Your Own loving loyal friend. No more could I want than this, my Jesus. Amen

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 Matthias the Apostle

O Glorious Saint Matthias, in God's design it fell upon you to take the place of the unfortunate Judas who betrayed his Master. You were selected by the twofold sign of the uprightness of your life and the call of the Holy Spirit.

Obtain for us the grace to practice the same uprightness of life and to be called by that same Spirit to wholehearted service of the Church. Then after a life of zeal and good works let us be ushered into your company in heaven to sing forever the praises of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

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