Weekly Meditation September 21, 2009

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. He was a man who made a quick but life-long decision to embrace Jesus and his way of life, his value system. We read in Mt.9:9: "As he moved on Jesus saw a man named Matthew at his post where taxes were collected. He said to him, 'Follow me'. Matthew got up and followed him."

Jesus later spoke so clearly to his disciples.
"If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross and begin to follow in my footsteps. Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Matthew 16:24-25

Jesus Christ is our Savior who loves us but who also believes in "tough love." He makes challenges and demands hard work. He is a leader whose teachings wrench us out of apathy and complacency but also give us hope and the truth with a way of life that leads us to eternal success!

So...we "followers of Christ" are challenged in our time and here in our own country to renew and deepen our faithful commitment to follow Jesus and to be grateful and proud of our Catholic faith. St. Matthew, help us to love Jesus who is our Way, our Truth and our Life and help us to stand up and speak up for the values we hold dear.