Matthias is the Apostle who was chosen by lot (among two candidates) to take the place of the traitor Judas, who had committed suicide on realising the enormity of his crime in betraying the innocent Jesus. The Gospel passage is one of the most central in the New Testament. It speaks of the supreme importance of love in the life of the Christian. First of all, Jesus tells his disciples that he passes on to them the same love that his Father has given to him. The disciples then are to remain in that love. Surprisingly perhaps, they are to respond to that love not by showing it to Jesus but rather by passing on the love they have received to their brothers and sisters. The greatest love, in fact, is - like that of Jesus Himself - to sacrifice one's life for those around us. Further on, he tells them to go out and bear much fruit, fruit that will last. And that fruit is to act towards others out of the love they themselves have received. This is how we are to show our love for Jesus and his Father. "As often as you do it to the very least of my brothers and sisters you do it to me."