MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 21, 2026

MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/monday-of-the-twenty-fifth-week-in-ordinary-time-september-21-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-21st/

FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST

HISTORY OF THE SAINTS SERIES ON YOUTUBE CHANNEL | https://www.youtube.com/@dailyreflectionswithphilomena

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Here |

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 21, 2026 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-september-21-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, the Church celebrates the incredible transformation of a despised tax collector into a foundational pillar of our faith. Today’s Gospel recounts the exact moment Jesus passed by Matthew’s customs post and called him to a new life, declaring, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners,” while the First Reading from Ephesians urges us to live lives worthy of our high calling in unity and humility. Inspired by Saint Matthew’s swift and wholehearted response to the Divine Physician, let us open our hearts to receive Christ’s infinite mercy today.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist | Monday, September 21, 2026
Reading 1: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:9-13

“I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

“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.'”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Today’s readings celebrate the transformative power of Christ’s call and His infinite mercy, beautifully embodied in the conversion of Saint Matthew. In the Gospel, Jesus passes by a customs post where Matthew, a despised tax collector collaborating with the Romans is sitting. With a single, life-changing command, “Follow me,” Jesus breaks through social barriers, judgment, and sin. Matthew immediately leaves his old life behind to follow the Lord, welcoming Him into his home with other sinners. When the Pharisees object, Jesus offers a profound truth: He came not for the self-righteous, but for the sick, desiring mercy above empty sacrifice.

This radical call to holiness and community building is echoed by Saint Paul in the First Reading, where he urges the Ephesians to live lives worthy of their calling with humility, gentleness, and patience. Just as Christ called Matthew from the customs post to become an Apostle, He distributes diverse gifts to the Church, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to build up the Body of Christ until we attain full unity in the faith. As the Responsorial Psalm joyfully proclaims, “Their message goes out through all the earth,” reminding us that the Gospel is meant to reach every corner of the world through the faithful witness of those transformed by grace.

Today, let us examine our own response to the Lord’s call. Do we recognize our spiritual need for the Divine Physician, and are we willing to leave behind our past to follow Him wholeheartedly? How has Jesus shown His mercy in your own life, and how can you better respond to His call to follow Him with a humble and generous heart?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the glorious example of Saint Matthew, whose life was transformed by Your merciful call. Forgive us for our sins, our self-righteousness, and the times we hesitate to leave our worldly comforts behind to follow You. Grant us the grace to embrace Your mercy, to recognize our deep need for Your healing, and to live lives worthy of the high calling we have received. Help us to work together in unity to build up the Body of Christ, carrying Your message of love to the ends of the earth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 21ST:

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-21st/

SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST: Saint Matthew (1st century), also known as Levi, was a Jewish tax collector in Capernaum before being called by Jesus with the life-changing words, “Follow me.” Leaving behind his past and lucrative profession as an outcast among his people, Matthew responded with immediate faith, becoming one of the Twelve Apostles and the traditional author of the first Gospel, written to prove that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. According to tradition, he faithfully preached the Gospel and suffered martyrdom for Christ. He is the patron saint of accountants, bankers, and tax collectors, and his feast is celebrated on September 21st.

PRAYER: God, You chose St. Matthew the Publican to become an Apostle. By following his example and benefiting by his prayers, may we always follow and abide by Your will. Amen. 🙏🏽

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, we also honor: SAINT ALEXANDER, SAINTS CHASTAN & IMBERT, SAINT EUSEBIUS, SAINT FRANCIS JACCARD, SAINT GERULPH, SAINT HIEU, SAINT MAURA TROYES, SAINT MELETIUS, SAINT PAMPHILUS, AND SAINT THOMAS DIEN. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR MERCY, RECONCILIATION, AND FAITHFUL WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL

Heavenly Father, You called Saint Matthew from the customs post to leave behind a life of sin and become an Apostle and Evangelist for Your glory. Through his intercession, grant us the grace to recognize our spiritual need for Jesus, the Divine Physician, and to respond instantly and unreservedly whenever He calls us. Heal our divisions, strengthen the unity of the Body of Christ, and help us to live in a manner worthy of our calling with humility, gentleness, and love. Pour out Your mercy upon accountants, financial officers, the sick, and all those in need, that we may all walk faithfully in Your light. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: For the care of water. Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER | MONTH OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS: September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, inviting us to unite our hearts with Mary in her profound sharing of Christ’s Passion. As Simeon foretold, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35), and throughout her life Mary endured deep sorrows that culminated at Calvary. In her silent strength and unwavering faith, she became the compassionate Mother of all Christians, offering her suffering with Christ for the salvation of the world.

This month, the Church calls us to meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: Simeon’s prophecy, the Flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, standing at the foot of the Cross, receiving His lifeless Body, and placing Him in the tomb. By reflecting on these sorrows, we learn patience in trials, compassion for the suffering, and a deeper love for Jesus who suffered for us.

Prayers such as the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows help us to walk with Mary in her suffering and to discover hope and consolation in her maternal heart.

“Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, teach us to stand with you at the Cross, sharing in Christ’s love and redemptive sacrifice.”

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Amen 🙏🏾

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=9

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏾

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings, and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer-2/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/