We Gather... Let us pray that we will be proud of being Catholics. (pause) God of faithfulness and love, may we be fearless and determined in living out our faith. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. We Listen... A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (9:9-13) Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. Some Pharisees asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?” Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.’ I didn’t come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. We Reflect... Matthew was a tax collector. In the time of Jesus, tax collectors were neither liked nor respected by the Jewish people. Tax collectors worked for the Roman Government and often forced people to pay more than they owed. But Jesus invited Matthew to follow him and ate dinner at his house. Watch together this animated version of the gospel story you have just heard: Jesus Calls Matthew. We Go into the World... May the compassion of Christ direct our actions. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2025 Week 25 Ordinary Time 171
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTIyMjU=