The Apostle Not Chosen

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 -- Week of Proper 6, Year One

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
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Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 970)
Psalms 78:1-39 (morning) 78:40-72 (evening)
1 Samuel 1:21 - 2:11
Acts 1:15-26
Luke 20:19-26


Sometimes Matthias is called "the thirteenth apostle." After the betrayal and death of Judas, the early church selected one to take his place, to keep the number of apostles at twelve, symbolic of of the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke's account mentions two qualifications. The new apostle must be one who had been with Jesus' company since his baptism by John when Jesus called his group to follow him. And the new apostle must be one who can become a witness to the resurrection. In Greek the word "witness" is "martyr." For almost all of the apostles, their witness led to their suffering and their martyrdom.

Two qualified nominees were offered: Matthias and "Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus." We've just been through a similar process to choose an apostle for the Diocese of Arkansas. The office of Bishop (overseer) is seen as the successor apostolic office. (Note the reference to the position of overseer from Psalm 109:8 in the Greek Septuagint translation.) In our election process we took nominations for a few months. Then we conducted interviews for several more months to narrow the number of nominees to four. Those four posted answers to many questions about their theology, piety and leadership goals. Eventually we met as a diocese to interview the nominees in person. Then we met again to pray and to vote. I believe it was on the fifth ballot that Larry Benfield was elected to take his place as a witness to the resurrection as the thirteenth Bishop of Arkansas.

According to Luke's account, the crowd of about 120 believers prayed and then cast lots between Matthias and Joseph Barsabbas. Casting lots is a little bit like asking two people to pick straws. The one with the long straw wins. So Matthias is chosen "the thirteenth apostle." Some have called Joseph Barsabbas "the rejected apostle."

I have often thought about Joseph Barsabbas. He was equally qualified with Matthias, it seems. By the luck of the draw, he was not chosen. One of the consequences of that luck is that there are no churches named for him, as far as I can tell. I've never heard of one, and a Google search five pages deep shows none. There are dozens, maybe hundreds of churches named St. Matthias. Five pages into a Google search brings up lots of them. Two men equally qualified. One is immortalized, the other forgotten (or if remembered, labeled as "rejected"). The luck of the draw.

A lot of us can point to moments when luck played a pivotal point in our future, maybe for better, maybe not. In my imagination, Joseph Barsabbas accepted the lost opportunity, and lived a good life of integrity, humbly thankful that he was deemed worthy of that which he did not achieve. Yet, it is not hard to imagine him haunted or broken. After all, he was not accepted. He might even find justification to think that it was God who rejected him or found him wanting, since the method of choice -- prayer and casting lots -- was intended to seek God's choice. This is the kind of event that can depress or break a person. How do you get over great disappointments or great losses?

Although there are no churches named for Joseph Barsabbas, a legend holds that he became Bishop of Eleutheropolis, a small village south of Jerusalem on the road to Gaza. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates St. Joseph Barsabbas on July 20. One reference I checked included him among 23 others who share a July 20 Saint's Day. But still, as far as I can find -- no churches are named for him.

For me, Joseph Barsabbas is the patron saint of those who didn't get something significant that they were qualified for, something that may have changed their lives profoundly. Many of our lives have been profoundly shaped by what we didn't get. In our disappointments, it helps to have a friend.

I also think of St. Matthias as a patron saint for our lucky breaks, or for those privileges we have that are not necessarily earned. I am the product of so much unearned privilege -- born in 20th century America, of educated parents, white, male, raised in a good home, church and community. So much of what has shaped me and given me remarkable opportunities is mostly the luck of the draw. How different might my story be had I not enjoyed such advantages? Who would I be if I had drawn a bunch of short straws?

Joseph Barsabbas. Qualified apostle who didn't get the opportunity. I think it is important to acknowledge him. I'm sure God does.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
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