Saint Matthias and the 'Next Man Up' Mentality

It was January 1, 2014, New Year's day in sunny Southern California when Michigan State’s Kyler Elsworth was called upon to fill the shoes of the best defensive player and starting middle linebacker, Max Bullough. Even though Max was the heart of the defense he was suspended for violating a team rule and consequently not allowed to play in the biggest game of the year, the Rose Bowl.

“Coach Mark Dantonio has a saying, “Next Man Up.”  Trouble is, Kyler Elsworth, was the next man up. Elsworth, a 5th year senior who never started a game. Ellsworth, a former walk-on who had never played a significant role in his collegiate career. On top of it all, Elsworth had less than a week to prepare for this new role in the heart of the defense.

With Michigan State University clinging to a 4-point lead in the waning moments of the Rose Bowl, Stanford was attempting to get the next first down. It was 4th down and less than a yard. Who do you think leapt over the line of scrimmage to stuff the fullback for no gain? Kyler Elsworth – the next man up.  Who was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Game? Kyler Elsworth – the next man up.”

In the bible too the no-name replacement seems to always come in clutch as 'the next man up'.

In the Old Testament the very first 'next man up' was Seth. Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve. After Cain killed Abel and Cain was exiled, Seth became the genealogical linch pin, the one to carry forward the family tree. He was another no-name who is barely mentioned in the bible yet the whole family line from Adam and Eve to Noah depended upon his existence. 

In the New Testament when Judas betrayed Jesus and chose suicide over mercy he forfeited his opportunity and his chosenness to be one of the 12. The number of apostles went down to 11. That was bad because 12 was the number Jesus wanted as it meant that the Church was the new Israel and fulfillment of the People of God who previously stemmed from the 12 sons of Jacob and then became the 12 tribes of Israel. The apostles had to make their first big decision. They had to go the the Church's depth chart to determine who would be the next man up. 

Today we celebrate that 'next man up' in our Catholic Faith, the 12th apostle Saint Mathias. After the apostles prayed for God to help them find a replacement for Judas they casted lots and determined that Mathias was God’s choice. It is good that he is recognized in the calendar because like Kyler Elsworth, Seth and most of us, he was a no-name, a nobody and a person that could easily be forgotten. Like those two he rose to the occasion and he proved that he was ready when called upon. There are conflicting accounts of his ministry. Some say he became a martyr in Ethiopia others say he died a natural death of old age. The thing is he was a good man and he was there when they needed him, he said yes to servant leadership and then he carried it out according to God's will. 

This ‘next man up’ saying is more of a mentality that each of us ought to adopt. At a time when it is easy to point fingers at Catholic leaders for their weakness and Judas-like betrayal or spinelessness, we should ask ourselves, “Would I be ready to lead if I were in their shoes?”

Have I been training and preparing for the call? Or have I been the second stringer who cuts corners at practice and then sits on the bench moping about the team’s performance? We seem to hear all the excuses, “I am only a lay person. God has not chosen me. I am doing the best I can with the influence I have but I never studied theology. I am not qualified. I am too sinful". God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. 

Regardless of your current status in the Church, if you are baptized then you are still a member. You were chosen to be on the team and are somewhere on the depth chart. Do you have that next man up mentality? When your number is called to lead or to take a stand will you be ready? Will you get involved in parish ministry? Will you become the next lector, usher, catechist, marriage prep couple, homebound minister?

Yes, you.