Tuesday, September 20, 2005
FEAST, ST. MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005
FEAST, ST. MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST
WEDNESDAY 25TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR I
EPHESIANS 4:1-7, 11-13
Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a
manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and
gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace:
one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of
your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to
each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. And he gave some
as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as
pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the Body of Christ, 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.
MATTHEW 9:9-13
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.
While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners
came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and
said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors
and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a
physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I
desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but
sinners."
REFLECTION
Today is the Feast of St. Matthew. Matthew was a tax collector. It
would certainly seem that Matthew passionately desired wealth. He
collected taxes for the hated Roman conquerors. He was seen as
collaborating with the enemy. He made himself rich by squeezing out of
the Jewish people, both rich and poor, every centavo he could, whether
by means legal or illegal. The people despised him and ostracized him.
He could enter no synagogue; he had to live on the periphery of
genteel society. To accept such a life, Matthew must have had a
passionate desire for wealth.
Then one day Jesus stops at the custom-table at which Matthew works.
He speaks two brief words to him. "Follow me." Matthew immediately
rises, leaving behind even his passionate desire for wealth and follows
Jesus, embracing his simple lifestyle, his poverty, his total
dependence on God for his daily needs.
St. Matthew found a better love than wealth. He spent the rest of his
life sharing his newfound love with others.
We're also called to this task. God wants our lives to be so many
lights, spotlighting Christ and his values in the secular world about
us. The desire for wealth is one of the main obstacles to success in
this mission. For if we are honest, we have to admit that this simply
was not one of Jesus' values.
PRAYER
"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold;
Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse
them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them
with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your
divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always
and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Clehenia San Juan. Eternal
rest grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she
rest in peace.
- for the speedy recovery and special intentions of Nedda Marjorie.
- for the speedy recovery of Boy Alarcon in Jeddah.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Joel Felipe Davis. Eternal rest
grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in
peace.
- for the special intention of Arron and EJ.
- for the special intention of Onik, Mama, and Papa.
- for the special intention of Raymund & Cris.
- for the special intention of Allan Correa.
- for the special intention of all SKKP members.
- for the speedy recovery of Joan Jack.
- for the personal intentions and well-being of Nancy and Walter
Gallagher.
- Birthday: Gerry
- In thanksgiving: Maria Alyssa Martina
- for the speedy recovery of Susan Cua.
- for the speedy recovery of Annika Nadine Uy.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Fr. Victor Helly, S.J.
- Birthday: Perlita Lu
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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