September 21, 2023, Thursday of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time-A ST. MATTHEW, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

Psalm 19

Matthew 9:9-13

…he saw a man named Matthew…  “He said to him, Follow me.” Mt. 9:9

Lord, when you stopped at Matthew’s customs post and invited him to follow you he had to be the most surprised man in all Israel. Matthew knew well how despised he was. The religious authorities constantly reminded him of his sins against his own people. He had to wonder what Jesus saw in him. But you looked into his heart and saw the possibilities, the potential of this man. You overlooked his sinful past and extended mercy to him. You even went so far as to dine with him and the other tax collectors in clear violation of ritual purity laws. How amazed were those who ate with you!  How many souls did you win that day? Jesus, it’s clear that you chose well when you called this future gospel writer into your fold. It shows the power of grace to transform even the most lost and forsaken among us. Lord, please help me not to judge others. Help me to trust in your mercy and to be open to the potential within even those who are detested today. Thank you for not holding my past against me. St. Matthew, pray for us.  Amen