September 21, 2021 Tuesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time-B ST. MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

Psalm 19

Matthew 9:9-13

I, prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received…Eph. 4:1

…he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.  Mt. 9:9

Lord, Matthew had to be the most surprised person in Israel when you called him to follow you. The second most surprised people had to be the Jews themselves because tax collectors were considered sinners and traitors. They were hated by everyone as not worthy of any role in God’s work in the world. You went on to choose a real rag-tag bunch of men and women to be the foundation of your kingdom on earth. They were far from perfect. They were not scholars, powerful or more intelligent than the rest of mankind. They were ordinary.  But they were children of your Father. You saw potential in each of them. They would go on to make mistakes and let fear overcome them. Sounds a lot like those you call today. Thank you, Lord, for calling me to be your disciple. You are always patient with me even when I let you down and don’t “live in a manner worthy of your call.” You trained Matthew well and through the Holy Spirit he would go on to complete the work you made him to do.  May I always strive to be who you created me to be.  St. Matthew pray for us.  Amen.