“Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task ...” (Acts 6:3.)
In commenting on these verses from today’s First Reading, Saint John Chrysostom writes:
“Now when Matthias was to be presented, it was said, “It must be someone who has been with us the whole time.”4 But not so here, since this was different. No longer did they put it to the lot, and although they could have made the choice themselves, moved as they were by the Spirit, they wanted the testimony of the people. Determining the number, ordaining the chosen and other such business rested with them, but the choice itself they entrusted to the people, so as not to give the appearance of showing favor. For even God entrusted it to Moses to choose as elders the men he knew.” (Homilies On the Acts of the Apostles, 14.)
Collect
O God,
Who willed that through the paschal mysteries
the gates of mercy
should stand open for your faithful,
look upon us and have mercy,
that as we follow, by your gift,
the way you desire for us,
so may we never stray from the paths of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Who willed that through the paschal mysteries
the gates of mercy
should stand open for your faithful,
look upon us and have mercy,
that as we follow, by your gift,
the way you desire for us,
so may we never stray from the paths of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
