St Matthias the Apostle 		May 14
Matthias was chosen by lot “to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside” (Acts 1:25). This story reflects a very particular understanding of the importance of the twelve apostles and is quite different from Paul’s understanding of apostleship, which is not confined to the Twelve. In Luke’s view, the place of Judas had now to be filled in order to restore the number of apostles to twelve. The apostles belonged necessarily to the first generation of believers. They had been together throughout the Lord’s ministry, from the baptism of John to the ascension (1:21-22). According to Acts, there were two who had the necessary qualifications: Joseph called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias. Matthias was chosen by lot after prayer to become a witness with the eleven to the resurrection.
The Twelve were unique. Judas proved false, and so the vacancy had to be made up. There had to be twelve apostles, for they were “to sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:14,30). Their vocation to be witnesses of the Lord’s resurrection meant they had to belong to the original generation (Acts 1:22). The casting of lots ensures that Matthias is indeed the divine choice. 
A tradition known to Eusebius related that Matthias was one of the seventy (Luke 10:1,17). This cannot be proved, but is more likely than Clement of Alexandria’s identification of him with Zacchaeus.
For Liturgical Use
Matthias was chosen by lot to fill Judas’ place among the twelve apostles. According to Luke’s understanding of apostleship, there had to be twelve true apostles, for they were to be the judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. They had to have been with Jesus throughout his ministry, and they were now to be witnesses of the resurrection. Having been chosen by lot, Matthias was, in effect, chosen by God to make up the Twelve. We know nothing else about him.
Sentence, Prayers and Readings as in A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, page 646