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Gospel: Matthew 9: 9-13
As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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He said to him, “Follow me.”
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This probably wasn’t the first time Matthew heard of Jesus, who was already a type of celebrity.
But today Jesus invites Matthew into his inner circle – and Matthew jumps at the chance!
But Matthew had no idea what his future held. He had no idea of the risk; the personal transformation he’d experience; or the personal responsibility that would later be placed on his shoulders.
If he did, then he might’ve shrieked in fear or knelt in humility.
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I’m sure looking back over our own lives, there are times when we would’ve shrieked in fear if we knew what was ahead – a malignant diagnosis, an unexpected death, a sudden turn of events.
Similarly, there might’ve been days when we would’ve leapt for joy.
If I had known, for example, that I’d be destined for St. Pius X, then I would’ve walked every day of my past with pep in my step.
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Saint Matthew reminds us that, regardless of what lies ahead, God has a plan for our lives.
We only need to accept it one day at a time.
Hopefully, with a little pep in our step.
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Image credits: (1) Forbes (2) The Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio (3) Everypixel