How many times did You call me Lord but I obstinately refused to follow You. Thinking I was young, I wanted to see, touch, experience everything without regard for rules or regulations. I wandered far from You, and as a result made a mess of my life; one with the cold and loneliness of not experiencing true peace and love.
I didn’t know how to love and was fearful of many things. The little light in my darkness was Your Blessed mother Mary, who I’m very sure prevented me on many occasions from falling over the ‘cliff’. She showed me the path back to You, reassuring me that You were always patiently waiting for my return.
Now that I have responded to Your call to follow You, my Lord and my God; You have forgiven and restored me. In Your mercy, You have healed my wounds and given me peace and love. I have begun learning to love as You do. Let me extend that same mercy and love to all especially those who are difficult love. Let me keep company with sinners whom normally I would shy away from, so that in time I may bring them to the knowledge of You and Your great love for them. Through the intercession of St Matthew may I remain sure-footed in walking in Your light. In Your name Lord Jesus I pray….Amen
(Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist – Feast)
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.”
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