A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:9-13)
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.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus sees Matthew, a tax collector, sitting at the tax booth, and he says to him, “Follow me.” Matthew immediately gets up and follows Jesus. This event highlights Jesus’ authority to call individuals to be his disciples and the transformative power of his invitation. The meaning of this passage first emphasizes Jesus’ inclusive mission to call all people, regardless of their social status or reputation, to be his followers. It also challenges the religious leaders’ narrow understanding of righteousness and their exclusion of sinners. Jesus quotes from the prophet Hosea, emphasizing that God desires genuine acts of mercy and love rather than mere external sacrifices.
From the Gospel acclamation: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.