“Follow Me” – The Call of St. Matthew (21 September)

About this sermon

“He said to him: Follow Me. And he rose up and followed Him.” St. Matthew was thoroughly unprepared when Jesus Christ called him. He was still sitting at the customs post, collecting taxes and participating in a corrupt system—yet Our Lord singled him out to become an Apostle, Evangelist, and martyr. This Catholic homily challenges the misconception that we must first attain “angelic perfection” before answering God’s call. Christ does not wait until we have eliminated every weakness, fault, or inadequacy. He calls whom He wills, when He wills, and provides the grace necessary to fulfill the vocation. The call to religious life is a special gift and an election of predilection, but greater love does not necessarily mean greater comfort. It frequently brings greater suffering, selfless service, sacrifice, and a closer participation in the Cross. St. Matthew’s life demonstrates this mystery. Having left his former life, he preached the Gospel and traveled to Ethiopia. After raising a young woman from the dead, he received her vow of consecrated virginity. When a ruler sought to force her into marriage, Matthew defended her sacred promise. He was consequently killed while celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on September 21. Whether God calls us to the priesthood, religious life, consecrated virginity, marriage, or faithful service in the world, we should not be paralyzed by our imperfections. We may begin with “two left feet,” but the Good Shepherd will provide the grace we need. St. Matthew, pray for us! #SaintMatthew #CatholicVocation #ReligiousLife #Discernment #CatholicHomily #FollowMe #ConsecratedLife #CatholicFaith #GoodShepherd #Vocations 00:00 “Follow Me”—the call of St. Matthew 00:32 St. Matthew was thoroughly unprepared 00:48 Must we become perfect before following God? 01:06 The call to religious life 01:15 The teaching of the Council of Trent 01:21 An election of predilection and greater love 01:38 Greater love, suffering and selfless service 01:56 Do not wait until you are perfectly prepared 02:13 A personal story of being unprepared in Poland 02:28 Pulled over by the Polish police 02:44 No documents and an expired American license 03:07 The policeman’s unexpected response 03:22 St. Matthew’s sudden call from tax collection 03:37 Called to follow the Sacred Heart 03:45 God calls whom He wants, when He wants 03:52 Called despite our faults and imperfections 04:06 The extraordinary gift of a vocation 04:28 The cross of following Christ closely 04:35 St. Matthew and consecrated virginity 04:49 Raising a young woman from the dead 04:57 Defending her vow of chastity 05:05 St. Matthew’s martyrdom during Mass 05:14 Prayer for consecrated virgins and religious 05:22 Persevering without knowing the future 05:31 Following Christ with “two left feet” 05:47 The Good Shepherd will provide His grace For more please visit http://reginaecclesiae.com/ & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Discipleship