The Gospel for The feast of St. Matthew is taken from Matthew 9th chapter 9, 13th verse. 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. And 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 dog. Go and learn the meaning of the words. I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Jesus made it clear that those who follow the scribes and Pharisees, the righteous, were in a place where they were almost impossible to change.

They were so convicted and convinced of their way of life was the way that God wanted. But he doesn’t want us to give up our freedom for a law that rules our life and tells us how to act. He wants us to let him feed us with truth and life and we become strong and healthy. His kingdom is about unmerited love, not a slave to a law. Closing Prayer Father, you teach that everything we do comes from a heart that is freely giving this beautiful gift called love, care, compassion, empathy. That’s the kingdom.

Help us never to lose sight, that our call is to being a source of unmerited love to those who are struggling, to those who were lost, to those who are enslaved. And we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.