Calls can come in strange ways—or so the casting of lots may seem to us. Not so for the believers of the time. What really speaks to me most is the detachment they had from their own preferences. Lord, which of the two have you chosen?

Matthias was chosen for a specific ministry, namely to replace Judas among the Twelve. But that doesn’t mean that Justus and the other one hundred and eighteen were not called. As Paul wrote, God gave some as apostles and others as prophets or evangelists or teachers—different gifts, different ministries, but all called to build up the body of Christ. The same is applicable to us.

Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are personally addressed to each of us: It was I who chose you to go and bear fruit that will last. Each of our calls, gifts, ministries, services is unique—appointed by God for a specific time, place, and people. Do we really see ourselves as called? As entrusted with a special service in the circumstances of our lives? To build up the body of Christ wherever we are each and every day?

Like Matthias, Justus, and the other disciples, who “remained” with Jesus during his ministry, we are called to “remain” with the risen Jesus now. It is for each of us to find the way to do that in our own life situations. For only when we remain in Jesus’ love, open to his grace, will we bear lasting fruit.