"He is the replacement" - Matthias would always have the honour (or some would say 'dishonour') of being the person who replaced the infamous Judas Iscariot, as one of the Twelve Apostles. Some may even consider him a second-rate apostle since he was never part of Jesus' original choice. In fact, he got the post through the all-so-human process of drawing lots - which leaves much to chance as to faith. But in reality, the story of Matthias' election leaves us with an important insight into the question of authority, mission and succession in the Church. The risen and glorified Jesus had returned to the Father, the Apostles were mortals who would eventually die - how would the Church's mission be continued?

Today's Gospel enables us to see this whole idea in a new light: authority and mission ultimately comes from God to Christ to the Apostles to the bishops and then to their successors. As "missionaries" of the Gospel, we have to be commissioned - our authority comes from above. In the event that we may be tempted to think that our involvement in ministry or service or the apostolate is wholly of our own initiative, let us be reminded of these potent words of Jesus: "You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last"