Happy Friday, friends! π»
This week we meet a saint whose whole story starts with two words: "Follow me." Matthew wasn't a religious leader or a fisherman like some of the other apostles β he was a tax collector, one of the most disliked jobs in his whole community. And yet Jesus walked right up to his booth and called him by name.
It's a good reminder for all of us, especially in the busyness of a new school year: God doesn't wait for us to become impressive before He calls us. He calls us right where we are.
"And he said to them, βFollow me, and I will make you fish for people." - Matthew 4:19
Monday, September 21 β Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Matthew worked collecting taxes for the Roman government β a job that made him wealthy but deeply unpopular, since tax collectors were seen as traitors who often cheated their own neighbors. One day, Jesus passed by his tax booth and simply said, "Follow me." Matthew got up immediately, left everything behind, and became one of the twelve apostles. He later wrote the Gospel of Matthew, one of the four accounts of Jesus's life in the Bible.
What to tell a preschooler: "There was a man named Matthew who had a job that people didn't like very much. One day, Jesus walked right up to him and said, 'Follow me!' Matthew said yes right away, and he became one of Jesus's best friends β and he even wrote down the whole story of Jesus's life so we could read it today!"
Virtue to Notice: Readiness
Matthew didn't wait, hesitate, or ask for time to think it over β he got up immediately. This week, notice readiness in small family moments: a child who comes right away when called, a willingness to help without being asked twice. That immediate "yes" is exactly what made Matthew's story so remarkable.
A Simple Faith Practice: Practice answering "Here I am!"
This week, when you call your child's name, have them practice responding right away with "Here I am!" β a playful echo of how the prophet Samuel once answered God, and how Matthew answered Jesus. Talk about how being ready to listen and respond quickly is something we can practice with our families and with God.
"Jesus, help us be ready to say yes to you, just like St. Matthew."
Across 20 weeks, children walk through four units that follow the story of Salvation History. They begin with who God is and why He made them, move through the Old Testament covenants, meet Jesus as the New Covenant, and finish by preparing for Confession, the Mass, and Holy Communion β approaching the Eucharist with real understanding and wonder.
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