Saint Matthew

The Church remembers the Feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist. We know of Matthew by the gospel that we listen to for this feast, Matthew 9:9-13. Matthew was a tax collector and he was sitting at his customs post when Jesus came by and said to him, "Follow me." Without hesitation, Matthew got up and followed Jesus. How many people could walk away from their positions of power and status? It seems that Matthew had no trouble with walking away. Perhaps he was looking for something else so he could get out of that profession or it was the one-on-one invitation that he received from our Lord. Jesus had a plan for Matthew and we know that he went on to be an apostle, an evangelist, and the author of the gospel that bears his name. Jesus invites each of us to follow him. We know that we are all sinners in need of God's mercy and forgiveness and like Jesus said, "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Jesus calls us! He wants us to be healed. He wants us to follow him and continue the mission that he gave to us, proclaiming the Good News. With Saint Matthew's intercession, may we have the grace and strength to give up everything and follow the Lord because our ultimate goal is to get to Heaven. Have a blessed day!!!