Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

In Matthew 9:9-13, Jesus calls the tax collector Matthew and eats at a table with sinners, declaring He desires mercy, not sacrifice. In Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Paul urges unity and diverse gifts in the body of Christ. Both connect powerfully to the Holy Eucharist as a healing banquet of divine mercy and communal grace.

Jesus sits down with sinners like Matthew, shocking the self-righteous. He calls Himself a physician for the sick, not the healthy. The Holy Eucharist is this exact table extended to everyone. We approach the altar not because we are flawless, but because we need spiritual healing.

Paul reminds the Ephesians that grace is given to each of us to build up the one body of Christ. Receiving the Eucharist physically unites believers into a single mystical body. Our shared communion bridges our human divisions and personal brokenness. Christ’s merciful touch transforms us from isolated sinners into a coordinated community of love.

Jesus challenges us to learn the meaning of “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” The Eucharist is the ultimate sacrifice of love, but it is given as food — an act of pure mercy. Coming to Communion requires a humble, repentant heart rather than an attitude of earned perfection. We receive the Mercy-Giver so we can become merciful agents in a fractured world.

Let Us Pray:

Lord Jesus, you called Matthew from his work to follow you, and you call us to live as one united body. Feed us now at your holy altar with your true Body and Blood. Unite our hearts in your love, heal our brokenness, and grow us into your fullness. Amen.