Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle
1st READING
There are many gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is no use wanting to exercise gifts that you do not have. Let us pray for the grace that the gifts God gave us are the best ones for us and to use them in the service of the Gospel. This is what the Holy Spirit asks of us.
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
1 Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 11 And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
PSALM
Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
R: Their message goes out through all the earth.
2 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 3 Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 4 Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 5 through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)
GOSPEL
The Jews probably hated Matthew because he was a tax collector and collaborator with the Roman rulers. In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows the universality of the Gospel when He calls Matthew to be an Apostle. Even traitors can transform their lives by the Gospel’s power. There is always hope for you and me no matter how far we stray from Jesus.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. 13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Reflect: “every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” – Oscar Wilde
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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
thank You, Lord, for:
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Read the Bible in one year - Psalms 126-130
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