Monday, September 21, 2020 - Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9, 9-13 - To you, God, our praise! You whom the Apostles glorify, we acclaim you: you are Lord!

Jesus said: "It is not you who have chosen me, it is I who have chosen you and established you". Seeing Matthew sitting at his tax collector's desk, Jesus calls him to follow him. Matthew left his work and followed him. Because of Matthew's work, which benefited the Roman invaders, the Pharisees considered him a sinner, an outcast. Therefore, it is not worth sharing a table. So Jesus called him to follow him from his tax collector's table to his table in his house, sharing everything with him and with tax collectors and sinners. It is not our behavior that makes us called to preach the Good News but the Grace of God. God chooses who He wants; rich in grace, He is able to change people's lives for the better.

Jesus shows by His actions and words in the midst of those poor souls that He has come to deliver, to break the fetters of sin, and He Himself affirmed that He did not come for the righteous but for sinners; He came to show that God is merciful. Therefore, Jesus gives back to man, who is rejected by society because he is considered sinful, his human dignity. He restores him to the image of God, tarnished by sin, according to which he was created from the beginning. We are all sinners who need salvation, who need God's love to fill our lives.

Saint Matthew played an important role in writing the Gospel for us because it is this Gospel that perfects our lives. This Gospel that gives meaning to our life as salt and light of the world. When we make the Gospel our way of life, we are the true salt and light for all those with whom we come into contact. Amen.