Follow Me: The Calling of St. Matthew

The Cycle Selection of the Gospels During Weekday Mass

Before  focusing on the Gospel reading, the Homily introduces us to ordinary time.

The liturgical year during the week is on a two-year cycle. On Sunday’s, there is a three-year cycle. The weekday year is divided into three periods; each corresponding to a Gospel. The first period of the year is the Gospel of St. Mark. If it’s not a feast day, when we gather in the early part of the year during the week, we hear from the Gospel of St. Mark sequentially, until we get to the section just before the Passion.

Then, the Church switches Gospels, and we turn to St. Matthew. After the Lord’s Baptism to just before His Passion, we hear from St. Matthew. When this is finished, the Church turns to St. Luke. Throughout ordinary times, the Church cycles back to various times in Jesus’ life, from the perspective of these three Gospel writers.

The first readings also have its cycle. This year, in January, the Church reads from the Book of Samuel. When this concludes, the Church picks a different book for the first reading. Hear more about these cycles for the first readings and the weekday Gospels within the first few minutes of the Homily. Why does the Church do this? To move us through as much of the biblical witness as possible over the course of a year. Again, hear why this is important within the Homily.

Follow Me!

After a brief discussion about the Book of Samuel, the Homily focuses on the Gospel. In this story, the Lord selects Matthew (the tax collector) and tells him to Follow (Follow Jesus). The Lord didn’t ask Levi to consider the request. Indeed, Jesus does not ask him. Jesus gives Levi a command. Follow Me! Christ asserts a regal and divine authority within this command. At this command, Matthew leaves aside his former way of life.

Matthew was a sinner. However, Jesus’ words cut through things of this world that Matthew faces. It cuts through the ambition and the greed. It penetrated Matthew’s heart. Jesus doesn’t go to the priests. He goes and calls a sinner to Follow Me! Why? Hear more about the words of this Gospel and how these words penetrate our hearts. Hear more about our own call! Listen more to this Meditation Media.