THE ELECTION OF MATTHIAS AND OUR ELECTION PROCESS

Reflection for the Feast day of St. Matthias, the Apostle

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke (Schoenstatt Fathers)

Readings: Acts of the Apostles 1:15-17, 20-26, John 15:9-17

 

Today is the feast of St. Matthias, the apostle (the one chosen to replace Judas Iscariot) and fittingly, the first reading of today from the Acts of the Apostles captures that historic event of the election of Matthias (Acts 1:15-17,20-26). St. Luke tells us that before the election, Peter gave a speech in which he mentioned the qualities that the would-be candidate must possess (Acts 1:21-23). Following from that, two candidates were nominated- Joseph called Barsabbas, also known as Justus and Matthias and after the apostles had prayed and cast lots, Matthias was selected to replace Judas.

Reflecting on this passage, I think the election of Matthias has a lot to teach us both as a Church and as a country especially in the choice of our leaders and representatives. The choice of leaders and representatives is one exercise that we cannot do without and it is one that involves almost every person. It is either you are part of those doing the selection or you are one of those being selected. As such, each one of us has one or two things to learn from this reflection.

In the first place, the early Christian community was a conglomeration of Jews and Gentiles (Acts 2:40-41). It was a community which could be likened to our country Nigeria with diverse ethnic/religious groups often caught up in the web of tribal wars and religious conflicts. In the early Christian community, the Jews perceived themselves as superiors to the Gentiles. As a matter of fact, the Jews referred to the Gentiles as pagans (Acts 6:1, 10:9-48). On that basis, one would have expected the Jewish Peter in his speech to have mentioned that the vacant seat of Judas was exclusively reserved for the Jews. Strangely however, tribe/ nationality or race was not part of the requirements that Peter mentioned. So, where Mathias came from or the language that he spoke played no part in his election. He was simply chosen because he was the one that met all the requirements/qualifications mentioned in Peter’s manifesto. He was chosen based on merit and competence.

Also, if the choice were to be made based on fame and popularity, Barsabbas from every indication, would have been the favorite. The fact that his three names are mentioned in the reading points to the fact that he was an important and known figure among the society of believers (Acts 1:23). But sadly, he was not chosen. His popularity amongst the disciples could not win him the post. The apostles followed due process and placed the integrity of the office above familiarity and fellowship.

Sadly, in our time, competence and merit are no more part of the things we consider before choosing or electing our representatives and leaders. Unlike the election of Mathias, we choose who will lead, govern or represent us not based on the fact of one with the best qualifications but based on where the person comes from or the language that the person speaks. People are appointed into sensitive positions and employed into government offices not based on past experiences and other qualifications but based on one's relationship with those at the helm. In fact, what has necessitated the present ugly trend of people paying for government jobs in Nigeria is the fact that qualifications no longer qualify one for a job. It is all about who you know and where you come from. One of the consequences of this is that at the end of the day, we have a poor system managed by a group of unqualified hands.

Again, in the next two years, Nigerians will be heading back to the poll to once again, elect her leaders. So far, tribal and religious sentiments have been the deciding factors that many of us bear in mind before we cast our votes. For instance, a Northerner will always vote for a candidate from the North even when he/she knows that the person is not fit for the post. The same thing goes for the Southerners. A Christian will always vote for someone that is affiliated to him or her by religion even when the person is not qualified for the job. The idea is ‘let our man or woman be there whether he/she will do well or not.’

It is sad that the same mentality has also crept into our churches. Most of the ecclesiastical appointments are no longer done based on merit and competence but based on selfish human influence. In the election of Matthias, the apostles did not judge themselves worthy to make the election. That was why they first of all prayed and commended the two nominated candidates to the Holy Spirit who knows the hearts of all men (Acts 1:24-25). As a matter of fact, St. John Chrysostom in the today's Office of the Reading tells us that it was God who made the choice and not the apostles. God only showed them the person He had chosen. If we could imbibe this same spirit in our churches today, then, we will have less problems to contend with.

Our nation needs qualified leaders. Leaders who will be chosen based on competence. We are sick and tired of having clueless leaders who are the results of our selfishness and beclouded judgment. The apostles looked beyond personal friendships and ties in the election of Matthias. Our nation, state, towns, churches, religious congregations and so on will surely experience a fresh breath if we can put behind our differences, selfish interests and personal sentiments and choose the best candidates to lead us. If you choose the best, we shall surely have the best result.

May St. Mathias intercede for us.