Saint Matthew’s call reminds us that Jesus meets us where we are and invites us into a new life of grace, mercy, and purpose. As we respond to Christ, we are also called to use our gifts to strengthen His Body and share His love with others.
God’s call often comes in the middle of ordinary life. Matthew was sitting at his customs post when Jesus invited him to follow. In that simple moment, an old life gave way to a new direction shaped by mercy, discipleship, and service.
The Word
USCCB Daily Readings — Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
The first reading, Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, urges believers to live with humility, gentleness, patience, and love while preserving unity in the Spirit. Paul also teaches that Christ gives different gifts for ministry so that the whole Church may be built up in faith and maturity.
In Psalm 19, creation itself proclaims the glory of God, and the psalm emphasizes how God’s message reaches throughout the earth.
The Gospel, Matthew 9:9-13, recounts Jesus calling Matthew from the customs post. Matthew rises and follows Him. When Jesus later eats with tax collectors and sinners, He points to mercy and explains that His mission is directed toward those in need of healing and conversion.
Reflection
Matthew’s story begins with a simple invitation: Jesus sees him, calls him, and Matthew responds. The Gospel does not describe a long period of preparation before that response. Matthew gets up and follows. His life changes because he is willing to leave behind what was familiar and trust the One who called him.
That same grace is at work in our lives. Christ may call us through a moment of prayer, a need we notice, a person who needs encouragement, or a quiet conviction to begin again. We do not need to have everything figured out before we respond. Faith often begins with one faithful step.
Paul’s words to the Ephesians show us what following Christ should produce: humility, patience, gentleness, love, and unity. Our gifts are not meant only for ourselves. God gives them so that we can serve others and help build up the Body of Christ.
Saint Matthew’s feast also reminds us that mercy is central to the Gospel. Jesus does not avoid people because of their past. He draws near, calls them, and opens a new path before them. Wherever we are today, Christ can meet us there and lead us forward.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me the grace to hear Your call and respond with trust. Help me use the gifts You have given me to serve others with humility, mercy, and love. Make my life a faithful witness to Your goodness. Amen.
Call to Action
Take one concrete step of discipleship today: reach out to someone who may need encouragement, and offer them a kind word, a listening ear, or a simple act of mercy.
