We celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew this week on September 21. Happy feast to all Matthews especially to our Parish Priest! St. Matthew was one of Jesus’ 12 apostles and also one of the four Evangelists, according to the Bible. Prior to preaching the word of God, he worked as a tax collector in Capernaum and called Levi.

One of the things that St. Matthew is most famous for is his call by Jesus. Once he was called by Jesus, Matthew left everything and followed Him, not even stopped to close the till or shut down the computer. Matthew was transformed by his encounter with Jesus. He wanted to think, talk, and act like Jesus. Of course he was not always perfect in thinking, talking and acting like Jesus, but he really did his best.

When Jesus dined at Matthew’s house later that day, Jesus was happy to sit and eat with other tax collectors and “sinners”. Jesus welcomed them as well; something he does throughout the gospels. To see a deeper understanding of the great celebration Matthew held at his house, we must realise that he not only gave a banquet for the Lord at his earthly residence, but far more pleasing was the banquet set in his own heart which he provided through faith and love.

What about us? Have we allowed our encounter with Jesus to transform our lives or simply doing merely the external duties of living the Christian life? What do we have to leave behind to truly follow Jesus? Pride? Anger? Hurt? Resentment? May be there are people in our families whom we are embarrassed by because of the way they live their lives. Do we just ignore them, or do we invite them to meet Jesus, to experience His mercy?

Fr Tomy

Saint David’s College, 10.30am to 3.30pm, Saturday 17 October

‘Proclaimers of the Word’, organised by the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission, is a day for Readers, and all who minister the Word of God. We will begin with an introduction to the Gospel of Luke by Fr Nicholas James, to set the scene for the Cycle C ‘Year of Luke’ beginning this Advent. There will then be the opportunity to attend any two workshops from the list below:

New Readers – introduction for young and new readers
New Readers – practical for young and new readers
Experienced Readers – two sessions
Children’s Liturgy – the role of the scriptures
Lectio Divina – prayerful reading of scripture
Common Psalms – what are they? How can we use them?
Singing the psalms – practical for new and experienced cantors
Writing the Prayers of the Faithful
Planning music for Sundays and Sacraments

For new and experienced readers alike, and all who work with the Word of God in Parishes, this day should be a useful preparation for the Commissioning of Ministers of the Word which Archbishop George Stack suggests should take place in parishes on the First Sunday of Advent this year. It is also a wonderful opportunity for any parishioner to deepen their understanding of scripture and its celebration in liturgy.

Parish musicians may be interested to work with Martin Barry, Director of Music at Saint John’s Cathedral, Salford and explore psalms for Advent. He will look in particular at the Common Psalms listed in the Lectionary which can be used in place of the psalm of the day – a useful way into psalm-singing if the psalm is not always sung in the parish. A range of styles will be explored and resources discussed.

Fr John Kelly (ed. Fr Matthew)