Today is the Feast of St. Matthew,
Apostle and Evangelist. Matthew was a
tax collector who was called by our Lord to be a disciple (Matthew 9:9-13) and
was then appointed as one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-4). He is the author of the first Gospel in the
New Testament. There is uncertainty
about the areas in which he worked (some traditions suggest Ethiopia or Persia)
and whether he was martyred.
Scripture Reading:
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew
sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.”
And he rose and followed him. And as
Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners
came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees
saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax
collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those
who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’
For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13)
O Son of
God, our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, You called Matthew the tax collector to
be an apostle and evangelist. Through
his faithful and inspired witness, grant that we also may follow You, leaving
behind all covetous desires and love of riches; for You live and reign with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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