“Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Matthias, the Apostle. Matthias is a quiet and humble saint. We do not hear many words from him in the Gospel, yet the Church honors him because when the apostles needed someone to take the place of Judas, Matthias was chosen.

And that reminds us of something important today: God does not only call the famous, powerful, or influential. God also calls ordinary but faithful people.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you” (John 15:16).

These words are very meaningful in our time. Today many people measure their worth through social media followers, popularity, wealth, or influence. Many feel unnoticed and unimportant if nobody applauds them online.

But Jesus reminds us: Your value does not come from public approval. Your value comes from being loved and chosen by God.

Matthias was not the most visible apostle. He stayed quietly faithful while others were more known. Yet when the right moment came, God chose him.

This speaks strongly to us today. Our country and even our families do not only need talented people. We need faithful and good people: honest public servants, responsible parents, priests with integrity, young people with values, workers who refuse corruption, and citizens who choose truth over fake news and hatred.

The Gospel today also reminds us: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

We hear many angry voices today in politics, on social media, even inside homes. People quickly insult, judge, cancel, and hate one another. Dialogue is slowly disappearing. Respect is becoming rare.

That is why the words of Jesus are urgently needed today: Do not allow hatred to become normal. Do not let anger control your heart. Choose truth, but speak it with love. Defend justice, but without violence.

Real Christianity is not measured by how religious we appear, but by how we treat people.

Jesus says: “No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

Love always involves sacrifice. Sometimes the sacrifice today is choosing honesty when corruption is easier, choosing forgiveness when revenge feels sweeter, or choosing peace when society is becoming divided.

My dear friends, St. Matthias reminds us that holiness is not about becoming famous. Holiness is about remaining faithful to God in everyday life.

So today let us ask ourselves: In a world full of noise, division, and self-interest, will I still choose truth, goodness, and love?

May St. Matthias pray for us, that we may become faithful disciples who bring peace, integrity, and hope to our troubled world.”