A TRAITOR CONVERTS! - One Bread, One Body, 09/21/2024

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Saturday, September 21, 2024, St. Matthew

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Psalm 19:2-5
Matthew 9:9-13

View Readings

A TRAITOR CONVERTS!
"Jesus saw a man named Matthew at his post where taxes were collected." —Matthew 9:9

St. Matthew was a tax collector. To a Jew, this was one of the most despicable jobs possible (see Mt 18:17). Tax collectors usually perpetrated violence and injustice against the poor. Worse than that, however, they sold out to the enemy, the Romans. Moreover, their association with the Romans made them unclean. Thus, tax collectors gave up their participation in the Jewish community and its worship.

Because of all this, a good Jew would not greet or associate with a tax collector. To eat with a tax collector and call him to become a disciple would be almost blasphemous to a good Jew. Therefore, Jesus’ calling of Matthew to become a disciple was either an astounding revelation of God’s grace or nothing less than an abomination before God.

Matthew’s calling and conversion is a radical statement that:

• God can convert the hardest heart (see 1 Tm 1:15-16).
• “Nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).
• “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jas 2:13).
• Grace surpasses sin (Rm 5:20).
• God chooses the despised (1 Cor 1:28).
• Where there’s life, there’s hope (see Eccl 9:4).

Rejoice, for today is the feast of St. Matthew, a day of mercy and hope.

Prayer: Father, fill me with hope because of St. Matthew's conversion.

Promise: "I plead with you, then, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." —Eph 4:1

Praise: St. Matthew left the false security of the world's kingdom for the true security of God's kingdom.

(Celebrate the feast of St. Matthew by reading his gospel. View, download or order our booklet Simple Reading to Matthew and Mark on our website.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 22, 2023"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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