Our calling as Christians links to recognising our need of grace, and this reality is well served by reflecting upon today’s Saint.
Like us Matthew had a calling. Like us, or maybe more than us, he knew his need of mercy. They complained when Our Lord, having called him, went to his home.
The Lord’s reaction was very direct: What I want is mercy… I did not come to call the virtuous but sinners.
The Feast of St Matthew reminds us how in his mercy Our Lord assumes and brings out the best in people including ourselves, miserable sinners that we are.
As we look up to him we are uplifted ourselves, especially at the Eucharist, as we see his loving gaze down on us extending beyond the walls of the Church towards those in our town, in our circle and on our hearts.
As we receive Holy Communion it is as if Our Lord takes us and draws us out with himself to best serve others.
What better service could we give them than to share how he has enriched us by enfolding us in his mercy so we don’t stand worthy as Christians but as women and men who have found the forgiveness which makes us acceptable to God.
In contemplative prayer especially we recognise the look of love God bestows upon us. In Matthew’s case that recognition came with Our Lord’s word of invitation ‘Follow me’. There is no word of God without power.
I read how Pope Francis first felt God’s call to become a priest and a religious confessing his sins at 17 after hearing today’s Gospel. I’ll leave you with a thought from him for us to savour for a minute or two before the prayers:
Jesus’ gaze always lifts us up. It is a look that always lifts us up...never lets us down… It invites us to get up… to move forward. To gaze makes you feel that he loves you. This gives the courage to follow him.
Prayers
Lord you looked upon and called Matthew to be your apostle and evangelist. Look upon us all as with deep thanksgiving we contemplate you and your call to serve others.
Bless all who serve as prayer guides and spiritual directors, especially the priests of this parish and Fr David as he prepares to come among us. May we know the day by day anointing of your Spirit.
You called Matthew to serve your good news at the cost of his life. Raise up evangelists in this our generation. May we ourselves find fresh courage to witness to your love for all.
May your Sacrifice, O Christ, pleaded at the eucharist, making our peace with you advance the peace and salvation of all the world. We pray for the needs of this and every nation.
We lift to you those on the sick list of this parish and all whose needs we carry on our own hearts… In union with Our Lady, St Matthew and St Richard we lift to you those on our parish list of departed.
Lord Jesus Christ, you changed Matthew’s life by the Good News you entrusted to him. May we also welcome the Gospel into the depth of our hearts, live it in faith and hand it on in love through the same Christ our Lord.
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