The Call Of Matthew

JULY 07, 2023 FRIDAY

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE A - YEAR I

Lectionary: 381

Reading 1

Gn 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

The span of Sarah's life was one hundred and twenty-seven years.

She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron)

in the land of Canaan,

and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her.

Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites:

"Although I am a resident alien among you,

sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground,

that I may bury my dead wife."

After the transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah

in the cave of the field of Machpelah,

facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Abraham had now reached a ripe old age,

and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

Abraham said to the senior servant of his household,

who had charge of all his possessions:

"Put your hand under my thigh,

and I will make you swear by the LORD,

the God of heaven and the God of earth,

that you will not procure a wife for my son

from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,

but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred

to get a wife for my son Isaac."

The servant asked him:

"What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land?

Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?"

"Never take my son back there for any reason," Abraham told him.

"The LORD, the God of heaven,

who took me from my father's house and the land of my kin,

and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me,

'I will give this land to your descendants'–

he will send his messenger before you,

and you will obtain a wife for my son there.

If the woman is unwilling to follow you,

you will be released from this oath.

But never take my son back there!"

A long time later, Isaac went to live in the region of the Negeb.

One day toward evening he went out . . . in the field,

and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching.

Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him,

she alighted from her camel and asked the servant,

"Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?"

"That is my master," replied the servant.

Then she covered herself with her veil.

The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done.

Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent;

he married her, and thus she became his wife.

In his love for her, Isaac found solace

after the death of his mother Sarah.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5

R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his mercy endures forever.

Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,

or proclaim all his praises?

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Blessed are they who observe what is right,

who do always what is just.

Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Visit me with your saving help,

That I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,

rejoice in the joy of your people,

and glory with your inheritance.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Alleluia

Mt 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 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."" 

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus is inclusive – even ‘tax collectors and sinners’ are welcomed. They represent those whose professions and social status are ‘not respectable’. But Jesus shows that he has come for all people, without exception, and especially the weak and the vulnerable, the ‘sick’ and the ‘sinner’.

How inclusive and compassionate Jesus is in his ministry! I ask myself if I am prejudiced against any individuals or groups? Lord, help me to become more like you in thought, word and deed. Make me large-hearted.

PRAYER:

Lord, your call to Matthew comes right in the midst of the ordinariness of his life. He does not hesitate or delay in order to balance the books, but gets up and follows you. As I move through this day, keep me alert to the many ways your grace seeks entry into my life. May I respond generously and without delay to your calls.

The Call of Matthew (FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST - C)

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022, WEDNESDAY

FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (Red)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 643

Reading I

Eph 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. 

Responsorial Psalm

19:2-3, 4-5

R.    (5)  Their message goes out through all the earth.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

    and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day pours out the word to day,

    and night to night imparts knowledge.

R.    Their message goes out through all the earth.

Not a word nor a discourse

    whose voice is not heard;

Through all the earth their voice resounds,

    and to the ends of the world, their message.

R.    Their message goes out through all the earth.

Alleluia

See Te Deum

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We praise you, O God,

we acclaim you as Lord;

the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 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.”

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus is inclusive – even ‘tax collectors and sinners’ are welcomed. They represent those whose professions and social status are ‘not respectable’. But Jesus shows that he has come for all people, without exception, and especially the weak and the vulnerable, the ‘sick’ and the ‘sinner’.

How inclusive and compassionate Jesus is in his ministry! I ask myself if I am prejudiced against any individuals or groups? Lord, help me to become more like you in thought, word and deed. Make me large-hearted.

PRAYER:

Lord, your call to Matthew comes right in the midst of the ordinariness of his life. He does not hesitate or delay in order to balance the books, but gets up and follows you. As I move through this day, keep me alert to the many ways your grace seeks entry into my life. May I respond generously and without delay to your calls.

The Call Of Matthew

JULY 01, 2022, FRIDAY

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 381

Reading I

Am 8:4-6, 9-12

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy

and destroy the poor of the land!

“When will the new moon be over,” you ask,

“that we may sell our grain,

and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?”

We will diminish the containers for measuring,

add to the weights,

and fix our scales for cheating!

We will buy the lowly man for silver,

and the poor man for a pair of sandals;

even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!”

On that day, says the Lord GOD,

I will make the sun set at midday

and cover the earth with darkness in broad daylight.

I will turn your feasts into mourning

and all your songs into lamentations.

I will cover the loins of all with sackcloth

and make every head bald.

I will make them mourn as for an only son,

and bring their day to a bitter end.

Yes, days are coming, says the Lord GOD,

when I will send famine upon the land:

Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water,

but for hearing the word of the LORD.

Then shall they wander from sea to sea

and rove from the north to the east

In search of the word of the LORD,

but they shall not find it.

 

Responsorial Psalm

119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131

R. (Matthew 4:4) One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Blessed are they who observe his decrees,

who seek him with all their heart.

R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

With all my heart I seek you;

let me not stray from your commands.

R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

My soul is consumed with longing

for your ordinances at all times.

R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

The way of truth I have chosen;

I have set your ordinances before me.

R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your justice give me life.

R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

I gasp with open mouth

in my yearning for your commands.

R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

 

Alleluia

Mt 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel

Mt 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.”

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus is inclusive – even ‘tax collectors and sinners’ are welcomed. They represent those whose professions and social status are ‘not respectable’. But Jesus shows that he has come for all people, without exception, and especially the weak and the vulnerable, the ‘sick’ and the ‘sinner’.

How inclusive and compassionate Jesus is in his ministry! I ask myself if I am prejudiced against any individuals or groups? Lord, help me to become more like you in thought, word and deed. Make me large-hearted.

PRAYER:

Lord, your call to Matthew comes right in the midst of the ordinariness of his life. He does not hesitate or delay in order to balance the books, but gets up and follows you. As I move through this day, keep me alert to the many ways your grace seeks entry into my life. May I respond generously and without delay to your calls.

The Call Of Matthew

September 21, 2021, Tuesday
FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (Red)
CYCLE B - YEAR I
Lectionary: 643

Reading I
Eph 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. 

Responsorial Psalm
19:2-3, 4-5

R.    (5)  Their message goes out through all the earth.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
    and night to night imparts knowledge.

R.    Their message goes out through all the earth.

Not a word nor a discourse
    whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
    and to the ends of the world, their message.

R.    Their message goes out through all the earth.

Alleluia
See Te Deum

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Mt 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:

Jesus is inclusive – even ‘tax collectors and sinners’ are welcomed. They represent those whose professions and social status are ‘not respectable’. But Jesus shows that he has come for all people, without exception, and especially the weak and the vulnerable, the ‘sick’ and the ‘sinner’.

How inclusive and compassionate Jesus is in his ministry! I ask myself if I am prejudiced against any individuals or groups? Lord, help me to become more like you in thought, word and deed. Make me large-hearted.

PRAYER:

Lord, your call to Matthew comes right in the midst of the ordinariness of his life. He does not hesitate or delay in order to balance the books, but gets up and follows you. As I move through this day, keep me alert to the many ways your grace seeks entry into my life. May I respond generously and without delay to your calls. 

 

The Call Of Matthew

July 02, 2021, Friday
Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)
CYCLE B - YEAR I
Lectionary: 381

Reading I
Gn 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

The span of Sarah’s life was one hundred and twenty-seven years.
She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron)
in the land of Canaan,
and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her.
Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites:
“Although I am a resident alien among you,
sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground,
that I may bury my dead wife.”
After the transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah
in the cave of the field of Machpelah,
facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.
Abraham had now reached a ripe old age,
and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
Abraham said to the senior servant of his household,
who had charge of all his possessions:
“Put your hand under my thigh,
and I will make you swear by the LORD,
the God of heaven and the God of earth,
that you will not procure a wife for my son
from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,
but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred
to get a wife for my son Isaac.”
The servant asked him:
“What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land?
Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?”
“Never take my son back there for any reason,” Abraham told him.
“The LORD, the God of heaven,
who took me from my father’s house and the land of my kin,
and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me,
‘I will give this land to your descendants’–
he will send his messenger before you,
and you will obtain a wife for my son there.
If the woman is unwilling to follow you,
you will be released from this oath.
But never take my son back there!”
A long time later, Isaac went to live in the region of the Negeb.
One day toward evening he went out . . . in the field,
and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching.
Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him,
she alighted from her camel and asked the servant,
“Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?”
“That is my master,” replied the servant.
Then she covered herself with her veil.

The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done.
Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent;
he married her, and thus she became his wife.
In his love for her, Isaac found solace
after the death of his mother Sarah.

Responsorial Psalm
106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5

R.    (1b)  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
    for his mercy endures forever.
Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,
    or proclaim all his praises?

R.    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Blessed are they who observe what is right,
    who do always what is just.
Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people. 

R.    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Visit me with your saving help,
That I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
    rejoice in the joy of your people,
    and glory with your inheritance.

R.    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Alleluia
Mt 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Mt 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:

Jesus is inclusive – even ‘tax collectors and sinners are welcomed. They represent those whose professions and social status are ‘not respectable’. But Jesus shows that he has come for all people, without exception, and especially the weak and the vulnerable, the ‘sick’ and the ‘sinner’.

How inclusive and compassionate Jesus is in his ministry! I ask myself if I am prejudiced against any individuals or groups? Lord, help me to become more like you in thought, word, and deed. Make me large-hearted.

PRAYER:

Lord, your call to Matthew comes right in the midst of the ordinariness of his life. He does not hesitate or delay in order to balance the books, but gets up and follows you. As I move through this day, keep me alert to the many ways your grace seeks entry into my life. May I respond generously and without delay to your calls.