MY daily reflection and prayer:
Monday, September 21, 2015
Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
***
TODAY is the feast of St. Matthew, the Apostle. Jesus chose St. Matthew to be his follower and friend, not because he was religious, learned, popular or saintly. As we know him well, his profession was probably the most corrupted and despised by everyone. He was tax collector.
In the experience of St. Matthew we know that Jesus searches our heart. Jesus see in Matthew that others did not see. He looks at the heart and not at the appearance of a man.
When Jesus saw him sitting at his tax office for no doubt counting his day’s profit, Jesus spoke only two words, “Follow me”. Amazing, those two words changed him from a self-serving profiteer to a God-serving apostle who would bring the treasures of God’s kingdom to the poor and needy.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we worship Jesus Christ who calls us, “Follow me”. Jesus came as the good shepherd to care for us people and to restore us to wholeness of life.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you desire mercy and not sacrifice. You also came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Thank you for the great mercy you have shown to us. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. May we also show mercy to our neighbors now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
