September 21, 2022, Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time-C ST MATTHEW, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Psalm 19
Matthew 9:9-13
…with all humility and gentleness, , with patience…Eph. 4:2
“…why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Matthew 9:11
Lord, the Pharisees didn’t suspect that if you didn’t eat with sinners, you would always eat alone. Look deeply into my heart and see all that I am. What do you find there? You probably see the good, the bad and the ugly. You see light and darkness. You saw the same mix of traits in Matthew and Paul and many others that you called to build your kingdom. You look more closely to our potential than to our failings. You know with the right mix of your grace, my consent and with time, I can be an effective witness to you in this world. You can use my talents, gifts and experience for your good. You can even develop within me new ways to serve, even ways that I may never suspect are useful. Fill me with “humility, gentleness and patience.” As he collected taxes from his own people to give to their oppressors, did Matthew ever guess what he would one day become? Today, I surrender to your plan for me. Lord, thank you for dining with me, a sinner. St. Matthew pray for me. Amen