People who know me tell me that I am gentle, calm, patient, and not easily flustered. I used to think so too. But now that I’m in my early sixties, I noticed that I’m becoming irritable and impatient—over trivial matters and even with people close to me.

A retreat in early 2020 helped me look more deeply into myself. I was experiencing burnout—and the busyness had led me away from the Source of real gentleness and joy. I took steps to care for myself and connect more strongly with God, helped by online Masses during the pandemic.

But as the quarantine restrictions got extended, especially for seniors like me, I felt suffocated and became irritable again—among other symptoms of cabin fever.

I don’t know when or how the pandemic will end. All I know is that I need so much grace from God—and so much work and cooperation on my part—to become the gracious woman I desire to be. Tess V. Atienza (tessvatienza@yahoo.com)

reflect

What fruits of the Spirit do you need in your life right now?

Make me more pliable to Your corrections, Lord.

Saint Matthew, Apostle, pray for us.

First Reading | Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

We make choices based on the way we live. Let us make these choices well as they have a bearing on our salvation. We cannot say we love God without showing it through love and concern for others. We probably won’t be martyred; however, we are called to die to ourselves daily so we can follow Jesus as His disciples.

¹ Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, ³ striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: ⁴ one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷ But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ¹¹ And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

R: Their message goes out through all the earth.

² The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. ³ Day pours out the word to day; and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) ⁴ Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; ⁵ through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 9:9-13

Matthew is a tax collector. As we read the Gospels, we will understand that it is not a good thing to be a tax collector as it means working with the Greek overlords. Tax collectors are seen as the scum of the earth, yet Jesus chooses Matthew to be one of His disciples. Is Jesus mad? He is not concerned about the prevailing opinions of society. He can see that Matthew’s heart is in the right place and knows he can become a worthy disciple.

Gospel Acclamation

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

⁹ 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. ¹⁰ While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹ The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹² He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. ¹³ Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read LAMENTATIONS 1 - 5 today.

A Yes to God Is a Yes to Humanity

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio immortalized on canvas today’s Gospel scene with an opus titled “The Call of Matthew” completed in 1599-1600. The painting shows Matthew, the corrupt tax collector, leaning over the counting house table. Standing at the door are Jesus and Peter. As Jesus calls Matthew, He points a finger toward him. Anyone familiar with Michelangelo’s famous “Creation” painting at the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican will easily recognize that Jesus’ finger in the “Call of Matthew” resembles that of the “Creator” reaching out to Adam.

Matthew, incredulous that Jesus would call him, still has one hand protecting the coins probably coming from his loot for the day, while his other hand points to himself as if saying, “Who, me?” That image called to my mind the myth of Prometheus, a titan who got angry at the gods who were withholding from men the commodity of fire, and so he decided to steal it from Zeus. Zeus caught and punished Prometheus by chaining him and having his entrails eaten again and again by eagles.

This myth illustrates the misguided fear of humanity common in many Greek mythologies—that God withholds good things from humanity and considers us a threat and a rival. That a “yes” to God means a loss for humanity. This fear was perhaps present in the heart of Matthew. Jesus called him but he was afraid to let go of his loot, thinking he would lose big time if he followed Jesus.

As a priest, I often hear people tell me, “It must be very difficult for you, Father. You gave up so many things for Christ.” Honestly, I did not give up anything. I only exchanged it for something just as good, if not better. Jesus did not take anything away. He gave me something else, something better.

So give up the hand protecting your “loot” and be not afraid of Jesus’ call. When He calls, you will lose nothing. On the contrary, you will gain everything. Yes, you! Jesus calls you. Do not miss out on your life-changing, life-giving opportunity. Fr. Joel O. Jason

reflection questions

Is there anything you feel God is calling you to—anything you feel you need to do or to be? What is holding you back?

Lord Jesus, grant me the sensitivity to the many ways, instances, and people by which You call me. Grant me the courage not to hold back. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________________