May 14th, 2004, Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters.

There was a group of about 120 persons in the one place.

He said, My brothers and sisters, the scripture had to be fulfilled,

which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas,

who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. Judas was numbered among us, and was allotted

a share in this ministry.

For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it,

and may another take his office.

Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us,

beginning from the baptism of John, until the day on which he was taken up from us,

become with us a witness to his resurrection.

So they proposed too, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justice, and Matthias.

Then they prayed, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have

chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry, from which Judas turned away

to go to his own place. Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,

and he was counted with the 11 apostles. The word of the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm. The response is,

The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

Praise you servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever.

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