Readings & Reflections: Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle May 14, 2020

The Church is “one, holy, Catholic, apostolic” (Nicene Creed). One aspect of the apostolic Church is that it is founded on the historic testimony of Jesus’ bodily Resurrection. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “apostolic” in this sense means “chosen witness of the Lord’s Resurrection and so the foundation stones of the Church” (CCC: 860). This is why the Apostles met together after the Ascension of the Lord to replace the traitor Judas. After prayer and the casting of lots, Matthias joined the ranks of the Twelve, as a chosen witness to the Resurrection of the Lord.

“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen….” (Acts 1:24). This is the public prayer of the Church begged God to reveal the man who was to take the place of Judas after his betrayal of the Lord and suicide. Matthias, whose name literally means “gift of Yahweh,” was chosen by God to join the ranks of the Apostles. According to Clement of Alexandria, Matthias was one of the seventy-two disciples that Jesus sent out (Lk 10:1). He joined the Twelve as a privileged witness to the Resurrection of the Lord. Matthias was present in the upper room at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down as tongues of fire. He is said to have preached first in Judea. According to Greek menologies, collections of the lives of the saints in the Eastern Church, Matthias brought the Gospel to Cappadocia (present day Turkey) and the coasts of the Caspian Sea. Ethiopia also claims his apostolic preaching. Matthias is often pictured with an axe, which suggests that he was beheaded.

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Opening Prayer

“Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Amen (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola)

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Reading 1
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters
(there was a group of about one hundred and twenty 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 two, Joseph called Barsabbas,
who was also known as Justus, 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 Eleven Apostles.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (8) The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
To seat them with princes,
with the princes of his own people.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Reflection 1 – Matthias chose the love of Jesus

Today marks the Feast of St. Matthias, the Apostle, the day when the early apostles of our Lord chose him as the replacement for Judas. “So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, 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 Eleven Apostles.”

To most of us, making an important decision by flipping a coin or drawing lots may not be quite acceptable. But for the ancient Jews and our Lord’s early disciples, this practice was perfectly normal.

In Joshua 18: 4-6, we find Joshua dividing land by casting lots, “Choose three men from each of your tribes; I will commission them to begin a survey of the land, which they shall describe for purposes of inheritance. When they return to me you shall divide it into seven parts. Judah is to retain its territory in the south, and the house of Joseph its territory in the north. You shall bring here to me the description of the land in seven sections. I will then cast lots for you here before the LORD, our God.”

To the early Jews, drawing lots was a good way to show God’s will. To them His will was more important than life itself. Drawing lots was a way to keep feelings and prejudices from influencing key decisions. It was a way to put an outcome into God’s hands.

Today the matter of choosing our community’s stewards once more looms into our midst. Considering the demands of the times and the complexity of our affairs, it may appear that the way of the early apostles will no longer be the best in seeking God’s will for our community.

How important is God’s will to us in our life and in the life of our community? How do we determine what God’s will is for us in terms of the leaders who will govern our affairs?

Jesus knew that the moment He left His disciples, relationship problems can be a major issue among them. He knew that He will be leaving them in a hostile world where tension can be very pronounced as one tries to contend with one another.  Not only will authority be their primary concern but the power that would flow from the work that they would pursue in His Name. This is the reason God wishes to remind us of the urgent need to discern and establish a definite framework for all future leadership emergencies in community- one that is transparent and free of human bias and discrimination but most importantly one which will stand scrutiny of both God and His church. It should be able to set aside politics, human affiliations and cliques and one that embodies and speaks the truth!  The power to choose leaders should be vested upon the local community and not on another body or some favored member(s) that may confuse their will with God’s will for community.

Whatever the approach we may choose in emerging our leaders- whether it be flipping the coin, drawing lots or establishing a very prudent system that is canonically aligned with church procedures-we should all be held accountable and responsible for the outcome.

Jesus said: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”  Jesus meant to love one another is by serving community with love, order and great prudence. It is being honest, transparent and accountable to God and community. It is abiding by His will and never to let our human desires and plans to prevail. And if we find it difficult to obey what is in our midst, He reminds us to be more self giving and to die to self.  This means knowing how to swallow our pride and be humble even in the midst of scrutiny and persecution.  Dying may require giving up our physical lives. However it can also imply giving up our own dispositions and beliefs for the sake of the common good but only after speaking out the truth. It is a way of surrender and allowing God to take control amidst any adversity and never to take God’s will and authority into our hands. It just implies that dirty politics should never be given space in our community.

One thing certain, we all need to go down on our knees so that the dark days of dirty politics may be wiped out and let God’s will to prevail.

Direction

Establish an independent task force that will study and pray about a system of emerging community leaders.

Prayer
Dear Jesus, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry. With the power of the Holy Spirit, help me follow your one simple rule:  “Love one another”. Guide me and help me. Amen.

Reflection 2 – Jesus admonishes the disciples

In the Gospel today, Jesus admonishes the disciples to continue the love he has shown to them. “As the Father loves me, so I also love you,” (Jn 15:9) Jesus said. He said that if we keep the Commandments we show that we love him. Love is proven by deeds, not just words. He said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you” (Jn 15:11). Happiness comes from walking with Jesus. It is not in money or pleasure or popularity; it comes from being a friend of Jesus. Jesus said if we keep the Commandments we are no longer servants but his friends (Jn 15:14-15). He said, “It was not you who chose me, but I have chosen you” (Jn 15:16). Because we are his friends we strive to spread his message of love. This I command you: love one another” (Jn 15:16-17). How do I obey his command?

St. Augustine said, “This is the sum of religion, to imitate Christ.” We must be generous and gracious as he was. He is our older brother; he shows us the way. If we do so we will spend the next life in the arms of God.

We must put aside our childishness and smallness of mind. This is what the saints did. Look at the Blessed Mother. She had so many sorrows, yet she was not bitter. She suffered afflictions beyond belief, but her answer to every trial was to pray all the more. Most of her life she did not understand these trials, but she understood one thing and lived by it. Her greatest sorrow was standing beneath the cross and watching her loving son die. But she only prayed more deeply. She held his lifeless body in her arms. Nothing made sense. She did not cry out against God; she believed his love for each one of us was beyond human words. She knew that this life is not the only life. In the next life we will be with God. She knew that death is not the end of everything but the beginning. They carried his body to the tomb. Mary with tears in her eyes arranged the body with her own hands, and they withdrew. Her faith was greater than any evil. Mary did not give up when everyone else did. Mary with faith believed he would rise again. Mary did not let the evil of the world overcome her. She gives us this great example of courage. We must be like our Mother. Mary is the example of how she obeyed the command of the Lord.

If we find it difficult to obey, he reminds us to be more self-giving and to die to self. This means knowing how to swallow our pride and be humble even in the midst of scrutiny and persecution. Dying may require giving up our physical lives. However it can also imply giving up our own dispositions and beliefs for the sake of the common good but only after speaking out the truth. It is a way of surrender and allowing God to take control amidst any adversity and never to take God’s will and authority into our hands.

Let’s examine ourselves and pray, “Dear Jesus, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry. With the power of the Holy Spirit, help me follow your one simple rule: “Love one another.” Guide me and help me. Amen.”

Reflection 3 – Receive the fullness of God’s love and joy

How can love lead to immeasurable joy? Jesus tells his disciples that he is united with his Father in heaven in a perfect bond of mutual love, honor, and joy in one another. Their love is inseparable and unbreakable. That is why the Son delights in obeying the eternal Father who loves him with infinite love. The Father and Son invite all to join in their eternal bond of love and friendship. How can we enter into that unbreakable bond of  love and friendship? Jesus, the Word of God who became flesh for us, shows us the way – keep my word, keep my commandments. If you abide in my word you will know my love and that love will fill you with immense joy – a joy which is unsurpassing, exalted, and unfading (2 Peter 1:3,8).

A new command of love
Jesus’ commands are not hard or burdensome for those who know his love and mercy. The Lord fills us with his Spirit and transforms our hearts to be like his heart. Paul  the Apostle reminds us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment – a new way of love and fruitful service which is empowered by his Holy Spirit. We are called to love and serve others just as Jesus has loved us with heartfelt compassion, kindness, and mercy. Jesus proved his love for us by laying down his life for us, even to death on the cross. Our love for God is a response to his exceeding love for us through the gift of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

How do we prove our love for God and grow in the knowledge and depth of his unfathomable love? The same way Jesus did – by embracing the way of the cross each and every day. What is the cross in my life? When my will crosses with God’s will, then his will must be done. If we accept God’s way of love, truth, and wisdom, then we will discover the joy and freedom of loving, serving, and laying down our lives for others, just as Jesus freely laid down his life for each and every one of us. Do you know the joy of being united with the Lord Jesus in a bond of unbreakable love and peace?

A Friend of God
One of the special marks of favor shown in the Scriptures is to be called the friend of God. God called Abraham his friend (Isaiah 41:8), and God spoke with Moses as a “man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11). Jesus, the Lord and Master, calls the disciples his friends rather than his servants (John 15:15). What does it mean to be a friend of God? Friendship certainly entails a relationship of love which goes beyond mere duty or loyalty. Scripture tells us that “a friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).

The distinctive feature of Jesus’ relationship with his disciples was his personal and unconditional love and care for them. He loved his own to the very end (John 13:1). He loved his disciples selflessly and generously because his love was wholly directed to their good. His love was costly and sacrificial – he gave not only the best he had, but all that he had. He gave his very own life in order to bring the abundant everlasting life of the eternal Father to those who believed in him.

The fire of Christ’s love purifies and transforms
The love of Jesus Christ compels us to give our best not only to God but to our neighbor who is created in the image and likeness of God. God’s love purifies and transforms us into the likeness of Christ. The Lord Jesus promises that those who abide in his love will bear much fruit for the kingdom of God – fruit that will last for eternity as well (John 15:16). If you seek to unite your heart with the heart of Jesus, your life will bear abundant fruit – the fruit which comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells within us – the fruit of love, joy, peace, goodness, and friendship which lasts forever (Galatians 5:22-23).

“Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and make me fruitful in your love, mercy, kindness, and compassion. May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from your love and joy.” – Read the source: http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/2019/may14.htm

Reflection 4 – Remain in my love

 “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing.”

The saints and angels enjoy perfect happiness in heaven. This is because they experience the ‘beatific vision’ of God, which means they see God face to face. In other words, they are in complete union with God. As God’s children, this should be our ultimate desire and goal in life. Although happiness cannot be fully achieved here on earth, nevertheless, it starts here and finds completion and perfection in heaven.

This is what the Lord wants all of us to have. In the Gospel today, He said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” And He reveals the way how to attain this joy and happiness even while still on earth: “Remain in my love.” Indeed, He is the true vine, and we are the branches. God is the only source of true happiness. So, when one is with God, he finds happiness. After all, heaven is more of a state of being than a geographical place. It is the state of being with God. This is what the three disciples experienced on Mount Tabor when Jesus was transfigured before their eyes. For a fraction of a second, they experienced heaven when they encountered the presence of God in Jesus.

Furthermore, the Lord Jesus reveals how to remain with Him in love: “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” The proof of our love of God is faithful obedience to His commands. This obedience is the way to remain united with Him. A follower who is disobedient cannot be united with his master.

And Jesus has only one commandment: “Love one another as I love you.” The benchmark of this love is Himself. He is not talking about passionate love (eros), familial love (storge), or friendship love (philia). Rather He is referring to selfless and self -sacrificing love (agape): “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

The saints faithfully obeyed and practiced this command all throughout their lives on earth. Truly, they are the friends of Jesus: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”  This made them always cheerful and at peace despite all the troubles and tribulations they encounter. The saints are always full of profound joy. Heaven, after all, is not for the gloomy and grouchy people.

A four‐year‐old boy was thrilled to have a new baby brother. On the day the baby was brought home, his Mom told him that his baby brother was a “gift from heavenʺ. But very soon the boy’s enthusiasm turned into exasperation because the baby was always crying. Unable to endure the torture any longer, he asked his mother, ʺMom, are you sure the baby came from heaven?ʺ ʺOf course, my dear,ʺ replied her mother. In a heartbeat, he retorted, ʺNo wonder Jesus got rid of him!ʺ

As long as we are obedient to the command of love, we will surely remain with Jesus. Then we experience complete joy and happiness even while still on earth, for, then, we have become His friends. St. Teresa of Kolkata said, “A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. He gives most who gives with joy.” (Source: Fr. Mike Lagrimas, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Amsterdam St., Capitol Park Homes, Matandang Balara, Quezon City 1119).

Reflection 5 – To Have One, Be One

A man who has friends must himself be friendly. –Proverbs 18:24

All of us need at least one or two close friends. A small boy defined a friend as “someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.” Henry Durbanville made this observation about friendship: “A friend is the first person to come in when the whole world goes out.”

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times.” We can’t improve on that definition. To have someone who remains true to us under all circumstances is one of life’s choicest blessings. The support and encouragement that only an intimate friend can offer is sorely needed when the burdens of life weigh heavily upon us. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate friend, for He laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13).

Proverbs 18:24 makes an important point and takes us beyond a description of what it means to be a friend. It says that “a man who has friends must himself be friendly.” The implication is clear: Friendliness must begin with us. We must take the initiative in developing relationships with others. Let us be to others what we desire for ourselves. When it comes to friends, to have one you must be one!    — Richard De Haan

I went outside to find a friend
But could not find one there;
I went outside to be a friend,
And friends were everywhere! —Anon.

Friends are seldom found; they are made. —Wentworth (Source: Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries).

Reflection 6 – Sacrificial Love

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. —John 15:13

What does it mean to lay down our lives for Christ and for our friends? In John 15, notice Christ’s logic as He taught about sacrificial love.

First He said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (v.12). Then He described the fullest extent of such love: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (v.13). Jesus died willingly for us and we should be willing to die for Him and our friends.

Then He added, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (v.14). Jesus didn’t say we’re His friends only if we die for Him. We are also His friends if we obey Him. In God’s eyes, obeying Him as a living sacrifice is the way we lay down our life for Him (Romans 12:1).

Similarly, we may not have to die for our friends, but there are other ways to make sacrifices for them. We can lay down our plans or tight schedules to focus on someone in need. Or we can lay down our possessions to make provision for the poor.

Such sacrifices, though small, can be powerful ways to lay down our lives for our friends—if we sacrifice willingly and in the spirit of Christ’s love.
— Joanie Yoder

We say we love humanity,
But it is only true
If we’re prepared to sacrifice—
For those God asks us to. —Sper

The closer you are to God, the bigger your heart for people (Source: Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries).

Reflection 7 – Good Buddy

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. —John 15:14

The congregation listened intently as the pastor began to pray: “Dear heavenly Father . . .” Suddenly he was interrupted by a voice saying, “Hey there, good buddy!”

Everyone began to laugh when they realized the voice was coming from the organ. It was picking up the conversation of a truckdriver on his CB radio! Not much was accomplished in the service that day, because the congregation continued to chuckle about the voice that made them think God was responding to their pastor and calling him His “good buddy.”

Moses knew what it was like to be a friend of God—a relationship that went beyond buddies. The Lord often talked with Moses “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). The patriarch Abraham was also called God’s friend (2 Chronicles 20:7).

But can you and I be a friend of God? In our Bible reading for today, Jesus, the supreme example of loving friendship, called His disciples friends (John 15:13,15). He put it simply: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (v.14).

And what does He command? That we love Him with all our heart and love others as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). That’s how we can be God’s friend.  — Anne Cetas

Friendship with Jesus,
Fellowship divine,
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion,
Jesus is a friend of mine.  —Ludgate

The dearest friend on earth is but a mere shadow compared to Jesus.  —Chambers (Source: Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries).

Reflection 8 – An Invitation To Friendship

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends. —John 15:15

I grew up in a home with lots of wall plaques. One had a quotation by poet Claude Mermet that stands out in my mind: “Friends are like melons; let me tell you why: To find a good one, you must one hundred try!”

Most of us can identify with that. It’s hard to find good friends.

I wonder if God ever feels that way about us? Out of all the people in the Old Testament, only one was ever called His friend. In Isaiah 41:8, God says that He chose Jacob, who was an offspring of “Abraham My friend.” Pretty exclusive club! So you can imagine how shocking it was for the disciples to hear Jesus say, “No longer do I call you servants, . . . but I have called you friends” (John 15:15).

Better yet, He is saying that to us as well. So, what does friendship with Jesus look like? It starts with commitment. As He said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (v.14). Then He added the dynamic of communication. He promised to tell us all that the Father has told Him (v.15). Are you listening? And as His friends we begin to bear fruit (v.16), sharing a commonality with Him by reflecting His glory in our attitudes and actions (2 Cor. 3:18).

Jesus welcomes you to the privilege of friendship with Him! Are you His friend?
— Joe Stowell

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer! —Scriven

Welcome to the privilege of friendship with God (Source: Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries).

Reflection 9 – The best friend

The husband said, “It’s an honor I cherish, and one I seek to live up to – but I don’t always do it. It’s the privilege of hearing my wife say, ‘You’re my best friend,’ which she does often. As much as I love her, though, I occasionally do something that is not so ‘best friend-ish.’”

In reality, no matter how hard we try, we cannot live up to the high standard of being a friend who never lets others down. We all fail from time to time – forgetting to do what we should or simply allowing selfishness to build a barrier between us.

As believers, we take comfort in knowing that we are called a friend of God, and He is a true friend who will never falter. Abraham was called “the friend of God,” and that friendship was related to his faith (2 Chron 20:7; James 2:23). Jesus explained how we can receive that designation as well. He said to His disciples, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (Jn 15:14). There is no better friend, for we know that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5).

Looking for the best friend ever? You can’t do better than the Lord Himself.

I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!

He loved me before I knew Him;

He drew me with the cords of love,

And thus He bound me to Him.

Jesus is the only faultless Friend you’ll ever find (Source: Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries).

Reflection 10 – Friendship with God

Reflection 12 – St. Matthias

According to Acts 1:15-26, during the days after the Ascension, Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (about 120 of Jesus’ followers). Now that Judas had betrayed his ministry, it was necessary, Peter said, to fulfill the scriptural recommendation that another should 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” (Acts 1:21-22).

They nominated two men: Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. They prayed and drew lots. The choice fell upon Matthias, who was added to the Eleven.

Matthias is not mentioned by name anywhere else in the New Testament.

Comment:

What was the holiness of Matthias? Obviously he was suited for apostleship by the experience of being with Jesus from his baptism to his ascension. He must also have been suited personally, or he would not have been nominated for so great a responsibility. Must we not remind ourselves that the fundamental holiness of Matthias was his receiving gladly the relationship with the Father offered him by Jesus and completed by the Holy Spirit? If the apostles are the foundations of our faith by their witness, they must also be reminders, if only implicitly, that holiness is entirely a matter of God’s giving, and it is offered to all, in the everyday circumstances of life. We receive, and even for this God supplies the power of freedom.

Quote:

Jesus speaks of the apostles’ function of being judges, that is, rulers. He said, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).

Read the source:   http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1383

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