The omnipotent God of the universe humbly, mercifully, reaches out to ALL folks. We should follow His example. (readings for Sept. 21, 2019) (Lectionary: 643)

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

Reading 1 EPH 4:1-7, 11-13

I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5

R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Alleluia See Te Deum       

R. Alleluia, alleluia.We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel 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. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

What these scriptures tell us about God:

one Lord, one faith, one baptism 

one God and Father of all

who is over all and through all and in all
grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift

The heavens declare the glory of God

the firmament proclaims his handiwork
Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me."

your teacher eat[s] with tax collectors and sinners
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners

What these scriptures tell us to do:

live in a manner worthy of the call you have received

with all humility and gentleness

with patience

bearing with one another through love

striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit
we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

We praise you, O God

we acclaim you as Lord

Follow me