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Jesus is looking for leaders who would, no matter the consequences, spread His word; leaders who were not doubting. It takes someone with a strong faith and courage to lead such a life.

Feast of Saint Matthew

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

M atthew 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. (10) And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. (11) And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (12) But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (13) Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Meditation by Isabelle Cherney

T oday, we celebrate the feast of Saint Matthew, the Apostle and evangelist. When Jesus told him “Follow-me,” Matthew did so without second guessing. Not only did Matthew follow Jesus, but he also became an apostle, building the Body of Christ. In today’s readings, we are called to be followers, to “preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” I am a follower. I follow rules. I tend to agree with others and I often feel more comfortable following someone else’s lead than leading myself. When I take on the lead, I am often afraid of making a mistake or of disappointing someone. Jesus was looking for leaders who would, no matter the consequences, spread His word; leaders who were not doubting. It takes someone with a strong faith and courage to lead such a life.

This past weekend, my husband and I had the pleasure of seeing Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass.” This incredible work illustrated the struggles of ordinary people to keep their faith in a very complex world. In the work, people doubted, people turned away from their faith. Even the “celebrant priest” doubted. However, in the end, there was hope. Each person helped the other in the process of building a community of faith. One important message that I took away from the performance is that we are all at a different stage in our faith. Some of us are at the beginning of the process; some of us are further along. No matter where we are in this process, we can find solace in that we are not alone. We can follow Jesus and the Apostles in living “in a manner worthy of the call we have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

I pray for God’s guidance in this world. May He assist me in my faith’s journey. May I be more open to His Word. May I become a better follower of Christ.

Supplementary Reading

Who Me?

Lord God, behold I cannot speak, for I am a youth. – Jeremiah 1:6

H as anyone among us not uttered the words, "Who me?" You are called to a seemingly impossible task, picked to join a work team or recreation team far outside your comfort zone. You may even feel that God is calling you to step up to the plate and do something you never dreamed of doing. In this task you feel doomed to ridicule or outright failure. Rest assured. You are in good company.

Jeremiah was called to an impossible task directly by God Almighty. Jeremiah's assignment? To warn an entire nation of their coming destruction if they did not turn back to God. And the Lord God was not subtle in handing out the task. The Lord said to Jeremiah, in Chapter 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you. I ordained you a prophet to the nations." God is saying, not only did I pick you for this job, I tailor-made you for this job!

The problem was that Jeremiah wasn't so sure. In his humanness, Jeremiah at best felt inadequate. I can see his knees shaking and hear his voice trembling in his response as he said, "Lord God, behold I cannot speak, for I am a youth." In short, Jeremiah responded exactly as you and I have responded so many times: "Who me? Are you sure you're talking to me?"

I love God's response in the next verse: "Do not say 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces for I am with you to deliver you!"

Friends, we serve an awesome God! When you are not enough, He is! There is no challenge too great to overcome and no dream too impossible to reach for when you trust the Lord and put yourself in His loving hands.

Heavenly Father, I trust You with my entire life today. Do with me as You will. I will not fear, for You are with me, guiding me with Your loving hand! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen  In Jesus' Name. Amen. – Joel & Victoria Osteen

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

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