Saint Matthew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus and his name has been given to one of the Gospels. He is also referred to as Levi, the son of Alpheus, in the gospels of Mark and Luke. In stark contrast to fishermen Peter, Andrew, John and James, the first followers of Jesus, Matthew, to paraphrase Fr Turner’s weekly message for the week of September 21, made money with his brain instead of his hands and “…was a shrewd businessman”.
Unfortunately for Matthew he worked as a tax collector which would have made him universally reviled. It is fair to say that tax collectors of the day defrauded others just as badly or worse than our modern loan sharks just to line their own pockets. Matthew’s occupation also meant that he not only worked for King Herod in Copernium but also for the occupying Roman State which would have been espeically distasteful to Matthew’s countrymen.
This Sunday, September 21, we worshiped wand contemplated the fact that despite all of these negative societal stereotypes Jesus called Matthew directly from the tax booth to follow him and Matthew’s response was to entirely give up his way of life to follow Jesus. Jesus looked beyond has societal status and immoral actions and saw the real potential within.
Our Worship Schedule
- 8am said mass in the Chantry Chapel
- 9am sung mass at the high altar
- 11am Festal Eucharist – the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys sang the Missa Aedis Christi of William Mathias
- 4pm Evensong – the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys sang “The Twelve” of William Walton
