Monday September 21, 2026, SAINT MATTHEW, Ap. & Evan Feast
FIRST READING
His gifts were that some should be apostles, some evangelists,
*A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4: 1-7.11-13)*
Brethren: I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 19:2-3.4-5 (R.5a)
R/. Their sound goes forth through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
Day unto day conveys the message,
and night unto night imparts the knowledge. R/.
No speech, no word, whose voice goes unheeded;
their sound goes forth through all the earth,
their message to the utmost bounds of the world. R/.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia. We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as the Lord; the glorious band of apostles sings your praise, O Lord! Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Follow me. And he rose and followed him.
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13)*
At that time: As Jesus passed on, 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 do not need 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
As we celebrate the feast of Saint Matthew, the tax collector turned Apostle, let us place our petitions before our merciful God, who is ever ready to listen to and grant our requests.
FOR THE POPE, THE BISHOPS AND THE PRIESTS OF THE CHURCH: that, as shepherds of the people, they may strive to bring straying souls back to God. We pray to the Lord.
FOR OUR CIVIL AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS: that they may use their power to facilitate the realization of the common good and abandon any desire to use their positions for selfish purposes. We pray to the Lord.
FOR CHRISTIANS STRUGGLING TO OVERCOME SINFUL INCLINATIONS: that, through the intercession of Saint Matthew, they may receive the grace to be able to break loose from those evil deeds that hold them captive. We pray to the lord.
FOR OUR WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY: that we may hear Jesus’ call to discipleship and, like Saint Matthew, contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom on earth. We pray to the Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. We pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
Heavenly Father, you chose a tax collector, Matthew, to share in the dignity of the Apostles. By his example and prayers, help us to follow Christ and remain faithful in serving you. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
When the world looked at Matthew, the tax collector, they saw a public sinner but when Christ looked at Matthew, he saw a restless heart, longing for God. And at the words, “Follow me”, Matthew got up, left all, and followed Jesus. No one is ever too lost to be saved by God’s amazing grace. Like Matthew, we too can begin anew but we must let go of all that enslaves us and follow Jesus with all our heart. In the words of Cardinal Henry Newman, “to live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.” Jesus, I trust in you.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
There is no other god like you, O Lord; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in sowing us your constant love. You will be merciful to us once again. You will show your faithfulness and constant love to your people, as you promised our ancestors long ago. Micah 7:18ff
Let us Pray: Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. Amen.
BLESSING FOR THE NEW WEEK
Lord God, it is with a heart full of joy and appreciation that we welcome this day and this new week. Thank you for making us see the light of the day. May all glory be to your name.
We will go to work and business, our children will go to school and some of us will travel. We ask you to take care of us and protect us from all evil. Shower your blessings upon us so that this day and the entire week shall be fruitful for us all.
Increase our faith in you at all times, like the centurion, O God, so that we will depend totally on you, and you will see us through our challenges. May the miracle that happened to the Centurion be our lot in this new week. Amen.
I wish you the very best of this new week my beloved friend. Go out today and believe that you will succeed. Put in your best, be kind to people, and you will be joyful at the end of the day.
God will always be near to protect and bless you. Be good to people and goodness will come your way. Amen
Meditation: 1Timothy 2:1-8 / Luke 7:1-10