Dear friends,

As we all know our pastor, Father Wilson has been away on vacation for a few weeks and we are excited to know that he is returning this Friday, September 25th. We have been praying for Father Wilson’s fruitful retreat and wishing him a restful break. May God bless him and bring him back home safely.

This week, September 21st (Monday) is the feast of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist. In today’s Gospel (Matthew 9:9-13) we have a short account of Jesus’ call of Matthew, a tax collector. Jesus called him out of his daily work to a life of discipleship. I cannot hear the account of the calling of Matthew without thinking of the famous painting by Michelangelo Caravaggio painted at the end of the 16th century. This painting is still in display in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome.

The painting depicts a particular moment, that is, the seconds before Matthew’s decision. What will Matthew say when Jesus says, “follow me”? Undoubtedly, this was a dramatic call and yet Matthew got up and followed the Lord. The painting not only depicts the calling of Matthew but also our calling, as Jesus is inviting us daily to follow Him. Jesus comes to us in the midst of our everyday work, in the daily challenges of life. Christ is calling us to holiness. He is calling us to follow in His footsteps. How will I respond?