21/09 ST MATTHEW

On the 21st SEPTEMBER the Church remembers the Apostle and Gospel writer SAINT MATTHEW.

Matthew was a tax-collector, who were seen as traitors to the Jewish people. He was a Jew who worked for the Romans, collecting taxes for Caesar which paid for the very empire that was oppressing the his people. Matthew was at work when he was called to be a disciple of Jesus.

This reveals how merciful God is - Jesus doesn’t require us to change to be called; He calls us, then helps us to change. The calling of Matthew was one of Pope Francis’ favourite moments in the Gospels, and he used this encounter between Jesus and Matthew as the inspiration behind his papal motto: miserando atque eligendo, which is Latin for “having mercy on him, he called him”.

Pope Francis' time as Pope was defined by reminders that God is merciful. Always reaching to meet us where we are. Always ready to help us in our needs. Always giving us the opportuniy to start again.

At the beginning of the school year, we should make a special effort to allow others to leave last year behind and change - especially those who have hurt or betrayed us. Jesus offered this same mercy to Matthew. Lpet us ask God to help us to be as merciful.

Let us pray that we would know the mercy of God, his grace and love for us. Let us also pray for a merciful spirit, ready to forgive others and give them the opportunity to change.

Saint Matthew: Pray for us.

Is there anyone that you are struggling to forgive?

Begin by praying for them and asking God to set you free from the burden of anger.