As Jesus passed by,
Matthew 9:9-13
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.”
Matthew was a finance guy. Not only did he extort money from his neighbors while collecting taxes, he also wrapped his whole life around the security money can bring.
How many advertisements have you seen lately geared toward people considering retirement: Do you have enough money to survive after you retire? Maybe you need to invest? Buy gold or silver? Take out insurance?
Commercials and posts of this nature lead to a stabbing fear. All the what ifs begin to play on our imagination.
If there is anything we humans cling to it is security. We clutch at anything that seems dependable. We stock up on what promises to sustain us in the crises of our lives. We pour over the stock reports to see how much we have lost. We accumulate what we hope will keep us safe until we die.
How much power do I need to protect my future? What will happen to me if I don’t have extra money to squirrel away? What do I need to ensure my comfort?
Jesus invited Matthew to step out of the security he had been creating for himself into the divine world of risk. He brought him out of the tomb of self-protection into the sunlight of abandonment to divine providence.
Hear these words from the heart of Jesus said to Matthew as said to yourself and do not be afraid: “Leave everything, Matthew, and come. Come follow me. I have no money to offer you. No absolute security to promise for your future. I have nothing but my immense love for you and for the world. I have nothing but my dream for your future in my Kingdom which I have secured for you. I have known you since before the foundation of the world. Matthew [and here say your own name], I will be enough for you. Enough forever. Come. Come follow me.”
Image: Bernardo Strozzi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Praying with this Passage of Scripture
Lectio Divina is a way of listening to God as he speaks in his Word. It is a practice of communicating with God through Scripture and attending to God’s presence and what he wishes to tell us. In this slow and prayerful reading of the Word of God, we allow ourselves to be transformed by the Spirit who forms us into the image of Christ. There are four movements in Lectio Divina: Read (lectio), Meditate (meditation), Pray (oratio), Contemplate (contemplation).
Begin by finding a still space to pray. Breathe deeply and become quieter within. Abandon any agenda, worries or thoughts you bring to this prayer and entrust these things to the merciful care of God. Ask for the grace to be receptive to what God will speak to you through this Scripture reading. Grant me, Jesus Divine Master, to be able to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God and your unfathomable riches. Grant that your word penetrate my soul; guide my steps, and brighten my way till the day dawns and darkness dissipates, you who live and reign forever and ever Amen.
Read (lectio)
Begin by slowly and meditatively reading your Scripture passage out loud. Listen for a particular word or phrase that speaks to you at this moment and sit with it for a time.
Pray (oratio)
Read the text a third time. Listen for what God is saying to you. Speak heart to heart with God. Notice the feelings that this conversation with God raises up within you. Share with God what you notice about your response to this conversation. You may wish to return to repeating the phrase quietly and gently, allowing it to permeate you more and more deeply.
Contemplate (contemplatio)
Read the text a final time. Now be still and rest in God’s embrace. Ask God to give you a gift to take with you from this prayer. You might ask God if he is inviting you to do some action, for instance, make some change in your thoughts, attitudes or reactions, in the way you speak or how you treat others. Thank God for this gift and invitation as you conclude your prayer.
Image: Myriams-Fotos; pixabay.com
Touching the Sunrise 
Getting “page not found “
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
LikeLike
Sister,
I really would love to read your post, but the link to the blog does not work.
Thanks,
Nancy
<
div>
Sent from my iPhone
<
div dir=”ltr”>
<
blockquote type=”cite”>
LikeLike
Dear Sr. Kathryn, It’s showing it can’t be found. Caroline 😀
LikeLike