The Call of St. Matthew | On Generosity, Vocation, and Following Christ

About this sermon

When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” Saint Matthew arose and followed Him. His immediate response reveals the heroic generosity required of every Christian—and especially of those discerning religious life. This Catholic sermon explains that generosity is much more than giving material possessions. It includes offering our time, talents, attention, counsel, obedience, corrections, sacrifices, and entire lives to God with joy. As Saint Paul teaches, “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Everything we possess has been received from God. Our abilities, intelligence, opportunities, spiritual gifts, and material goods have merely been entrusted to us. This truth gives meaning to religious poverty and makes generosity easier: we are returning to God what already belongs to Him. Drawing upon Saint Paul and Saint John Chrysostom, the sermon asks a challenging question: If everything belongs to God and has been loaned to us for only a short time, why do we cling to it so tenaciously? A memorable story about a seminarian surrendering his wristwatch without hesitation illustrates authentic detachment. He gave it cheerfully because he understood that it was never truly his. Through Saint Matthew’s intercession, may we receive the grace to overcome hesitation, murmuring, and selfishness—and give everything to Jesus Christ in peace. Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, pray for us! 00:00 “He saw a man named Matthew” 00:16 Christ says, “Follow Me” 00:25 Saint Matthew’s tremendous generosity 00:57 A lesson for religious vocations 01:20 Grace and personal effort 01:54 What is perfect generosity? 02:10 God loves a cheerful giver 02:35 Material and spiritual generosity 02:50 Listening, teaching, and giving counsel 03:17 Receiving correction generously 03:42 Generosity responds immediately 04:06 Complaining, murmuring, and hesitation 04:35 Bring this truth to prayer 04:43 Nothing we possess is truly ours 05:32 Religious poverty and reality before God 05:55 “What hast thou that thou hast not received?” 06:16 The key to becoming generous 06:33 Our talents and intelligence are on loan 06:57 The meaning of the Latin proverb 07:32 Saint John Chrysostom on possessions 08:00 God will always outdo our generosity 08:18 The seminarian’s wristwatch story 09:23 The bell ringer’s immediate sacrifice 09:56 The generous brother 10:04 Prayer through Saint Matthew 10:20 Give everything to Our Lord For more please visit http://reginaecclesiae.com/ & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest #Catholic #Homily #Generosity #StMatthew #CatholicFaith #CatholicSermon #CatholicHomily #CatholicTeaching #Vocation #FollowChrist #BiblicalTeaching #CatholicChurch #TraditionalCatholic 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ 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

• Work & Career
• Discipleship
• Generosity
• Jesus Christ
• Giving