ST MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST
21 September
Kyrie Confession
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of your kingdom:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness:
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
You will come in glory with salvation for your people:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Collect
O almighty God,
whose blessed Son
called Matthew the tax-collector
to be an apostle and evangelist:
give us grace to forsake
the selfish pursuit of gain
and the possessive love of riches
that we may follow
in the way of your Son Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Additional Collect
God of holiness,
your glory is proclaimed in every age:
as we rejoice in the faith of your saints,
inspire us to follow their example
with boldness and joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Proverbs 3.13-18
13Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, 14for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. 15She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
Psalm 119.65-72
R Lead me, O Lord, in the path of your commandments.
65 You have dealt graciously with your servant, *
according to your word, O Lord.
66 O teach me true understanding and knowledge, *
for I have trusted in your commandments. R
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, *
but now I keep your word.
68 You are gracious and do good; *
O Lord, teach me your statutes. R
69 The proud have smeared me with lies, *
but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
70 Their heart has become gross with fat, *
but my delight is in your law. R
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *
that I may learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is dearer to me *
than a hoard of gold and silver. R
Second Reading
2 Corinthians 4.1-6
1Since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. I appointed you to go and bear fruit,
fruit that will last. Alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 9.9-13
9As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
10And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ 12But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
Post Communion
Almighty God,
who on the day of Pentecost
sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles
with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame,
filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel:
by the power of the same Spirit
strengthen us to witness to your truth
and to draw everyone to the fire of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
God, who has prepared for you a city with eternal foundations,
bring you, with all the saints,
to the eternal and triumphant joy of that city;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Copyright acknowledgement (where not already indicated above):
Some material included in this service is copyright: © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA
Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops' Council
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