These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

THURSDAY, WEEK V of EASTER, Saint Matthias, May 14

Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. (Acts 1:26)

The choosing of Matthias seems a bit of a backhanded compliment—he was just filling a slot and he was to be martyred for his trouble. According to legend, Matthias was martyred by beheading which is why he’s always pictured with the axe close by. Unfortunately, very little is really known about Saint Matthias.  But in Mexico, Saint Matthias has a tequila named for him: San Matías.