They proposed two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justice, and Matthias. Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

So would you leave an important life-altering decision to a role of the dice? Of course not. But that’s not what the community of brothers and sisters are doing under Peter’s leadership. Having done the best they could, guided by God’s spirit of wisdom and humility, the company of believers left the outcome to God.

Maybe that’s the lesson for us… To do the best we can, given the options we have, and to act in the spirit of God’s justice and peace for the common good, and not our own self-interest.