Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist (floruit first century, A.K.A. Levi): Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Gospel.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

One of the twelve apostles of Jesus &, according to Christian tradition, one of the four Evangelists credited with writing a book of the Bible. He was one of the witnesses of the Resurrection & the Ascension of Jesus.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector in the town of Capernaum. Most tax collectors were hated by the Jews because they worked for the Romans, who had conquered the land. A tax collector could use his position honestly or dishonestly. The temptation to use the position to become rich was great.

He invited Jesus to a dinner where other tax collectors (publicans) & sinners were gathered. The Pharisees were upset when they saw this, & they said to the disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors & sinners?"

Jesus heard them & replied, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go & learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew, 9:10-13).

'Tis also the festival of Saint Iphigenia of Ethiopia, Virgin (floruit first century, A.K.A. of Abyssinia): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Laurent-Joseph-Marius Imbert, Bishop & Martyr, M.E.P. (1796-1839), martyred in the reign of the king Heonjong, one of the Korean Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link CIII.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Matthew
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses one thru seven, eleven, twelve, & thirteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two & three, four & five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter nine, verses nine thru thirteen.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew and our Gospel tells of his conversion. Matthew's laconic account details what the transition from spiritual death to spiritual life is like. First, we notice the look of Jesus. If there is one theme clearly stated in the New Testament is that of the primacy of grace.

Why? We don't know. We just know that we will not lift ourselves to spiritual wholeness. A gaze has to come upon us from the outside. Not so much finding God as allowing oneself to be found.

Jesus says to him "Follow me." There is nothing simpler or more basic in the Christian life than this. This is what we disciples do: we follow, we walk after him, we apprentice to him. "He got up and followed him." The symbolism here is marvelous. Getting up, rising up, anastasis, the same word used to designate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Conversion (turning around) is also elevation, rising up.

To come to Christ is to come to a higher, richer, broader form of life. Now life is not simply the pleasures and goods of the body; now life is lived in and through God.

Video reflection by Father Don Miller, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bible Study—The Bible Timeline: Exile
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter thirty-one (verses one thru forty);
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter thirty-three (verses one thru twenty-six);
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter thirty-four (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-four (verses one thru thirty-one);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eighteen, verses twenty-one thru thirty-five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter fourteen, verses sixty thru sixty-five.

Commentary: Good News of the Return (Jeremiah, 31:1-6), the Road to Return (31:7-14), End of Rachel's Mourning (31:15-20), Summons to Return Home (31:21-30), the New Covenant (31:31-34), Certainty of God's Promise (31:35-37), Rebuilding Jerusalem (31:38-40), Restoration of Jerusalem (33:1-26), IV. Fall of Jerusalem: Fate of Zedekiah (34:1-7), & the Pact Broken (34:8-22); Parable of the Shepherds (Ezekiel, 34:1-16) & Separation of the Sheep (34:17-31); the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew, 18:21-35); & Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Mark, 14:60-65).

Bible Study—Proverbs in a Month
The Book of Proverbs, chapter twenty-one (verses one thru thirty-one).