FRIDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Mt 9:9-13) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Mt 9:13)

FIRST READING - 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

A reading from the Book of Genesis

The span of Sarah's life was one hundred and twenty-seven years.

She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron)

in the land of Canaan,

and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her.

Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites:

"Although I am a resident alien among you,

sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground,

that I may bury my dead wife."

After the transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah

in the cave of the field of Machpelah,

facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Abraham had now reached a ripe old age,

and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

Abraham said to the senior servant of his household,

who had charge of all his possessions:

"Put your hand under my thigh,

and I will make you swear by the LORD,

the God of heaven and the God of earth,

that you will not procure a wife for my son

from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,

but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred

to get a wife for my son Isaac."

The servant asked him:

"What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land?

Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?"

"Never take my son back there for any reason," Abraham told him.

"The LORD, the God of heaven,

who took me from my father's house and the land of my kin,

and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me,

'I will give this land to your descendants'–

he will send his messenger before you,

and you will obtain a wife for my son there.

If the woman is unwilling to follow you,

you will be released from this oath.

But never take my son back there!"

A long time later, Isaac went to live in the region of the Negeb.

One day toward evening he went out . . . in the field,

and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching.

Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him,

she alighted from her camel and asked the servant,

"Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?"

"That is my master," replied the servant.

Then she covered herself with her veil.

The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done.

Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent;

he married her, and thus she became his wife.

In his love for her, Isaac found solace

after the death of his mother Sarah.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 9:9-13

From the Gospel according to Matthew

As Jesus passed by,

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.""

FRIDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Mt 9:9-13)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God for today speaks of Jesus calling Saint Matthew to follow Him. Matthew was a sinful tax collector. While he was sitting at the tax booth, Jesus passed by, noticed him, and called out: “Follow Me!”

By choosing Matthew, Jesus wanted to show that He came to earth in human form to redeem sinners, the sick, the afflicted, and those who truly needed God’s mercy and healing.

The Word of God is powerful. It has the ability to move hearts, to open people to God's will, and to inspire them to accept the mission He gives. God calls each person in a unique way, according to His boundless love. God the Father holds a special place in His heart for every individual, a place in His divine plan. Take Saint Matthew as an example. In the eyes of the world, he was a sinful, greedy, and despised man. But in God's eyes, he was seen through the loving gaze of the Merciful One. God personally chose Saint Matthew and gave him an important role—as one of the first apostles in the work of Redemption, and as the evangelist who would record the Gospel for all of humanity.

God reveals to us that He always loves and desires to pour His blessings on everyone. He does not distinguish between rich or poor, good or bad, high or low vocations. He does not separate the non-religious from the righteous or the sinners. As Scripture says, “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.” (Romans 5:20).

Therefore, God sends a message of love: no matter how sinful a person may be, when we repent, He will forgive us and continually pour His grace upon us. For in truth, in this world, who is righteous before God, except the Blessed Virgin Mary?

Through today’s Word, God calls everyone to repentance. He calls us to return to Him, to live according to His call, and to open our hearts, souls, and minds to receive His invitation: “Follow Me!”

May we follow our Holy Master, Jesus, for following God brings us glory in the afterlife and in this life, though we must go “with persecution,” as the apostle Matthew chose. We understand that the happiness of this world is only temporary, while humanity's ultimate destination is the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

19:00 July 4th, 2025 - Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven