The Other name of St John of the Cross

Today on this feast of St Matthias the Apostle I am reminded that St John of the Cross actually took the name John of St Matthias when he was first received into the Carmelite Order, before he met St Teresa.  I am wondering why he chose that name?  I am not sure whether the answer is known, but I asked Google, and AI tells me that his choice probably reflected ‘a desire for a life of quiet service and devotion to the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.’  Great as is my distrust of AI, I am inclined to think that this is at least part of the answer.  Matthias would probably have appealed to John out of his very obscurity and hiddenness – we know so little about him.  John shared with Teresa an immensely powerful humility.  Yes, I think humility can be very powerful – it attracts us by its beauty, the beauty of holiness.  The power of humility is a power to touch hearts and souls.

Intercessions

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, Theresa K

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Hilary Solomon, Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.