St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist (Feast)

Nor heaven nor earth too high can raise

The great Apostles' glorious praise.

Matthew worked for the Romans as a tax collector. One day, while seated at his table of books and money, Jesus looked at Matthew and said two words: "Follow me." Enlightened and moved by divine grace, Matthew arose, leaving his pieces of silver to follow Christ. The first gospel that appears in the New Testament was written by St.Matthew, the Evangelist. The gospel of St.Matthew makes clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of everything said by the prophets in the Old Testament and is the only gospel that talks about the eight Beatitudes. St.Matthew also wrote about Jesus’ Incarnation and his Gospel makes clear that Jesus was true God and true man.

Matthew helps us to remember that it is our faith in Jesus that makes us truly rich, believing in and living as a follower of Christ. 

O God, who with untold mercy were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Saturday, September 21, 2013
St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist (Feast)

Reading

Ephesians 4: 1 - 7, 11 - 13
1	I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2	with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love,
3	eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4	There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,
5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6	one God and Father of us all, who is above 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 his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
12	to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
13	until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;

Psalm

Psalms 19: 2 - 5
2	Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
3	There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
4	yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5	which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Gospel

Matthew 9: 9 - 13
9	As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
10	And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
11	And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
12	But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
13	Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Prayer to St. Matthew as your Patron Saint

Saint Matthew, whom I have chosen as my special patron, pray for me that I, too, may one day glorify the Blessed Trinity in heaven. Obtain for me your lively faith, that I may consider all persons, things, and events in the light of almighty God. Pray, that I may be generous in making sacrifices of temporal things to promote my eternal interests, as you so wisely did.

Set me on fire with a love for Jesus, that I may thirst for His sacraments and burn with zeal for the spread of His kingdom. By your powerful intercession, help me in the performance of my duties to God, myself and all the world. 

Win for me the virtue of purity and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin. Protect me this day, and every day of my life. Keep me from mortal sin. Obtain for me the grace of a happy death. Amen