Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle
The Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle, and Evangelist, makes me think about that old song “On the Road Again.” After all, the word “apostle” is about movement and travel because it means an “emissary being sent out.” This may not seem to touch us until we realize that our baptism was the beginning of this very same apostolic faith. Each of us is commissioned to carry the power and presence of Jesus beyond our personal world, beyond our own circle of comfort.
This is the point Pope Francis is making when he calls us to live our faith through our human experience. Jesus took on our human nature. He knows our experience. He has walked our walk. Pope Francis is telling us that being a “missionary disciple” is simply living the Gospel wherever we are. Our kindness and courage will speak louder than our words.
In so many cases it means taking that first step. It means taking the first step toward resolving a misunderstanding, taking the first step toward asking for forgiveness, taking the first step toward saying thank you. It all comes from a willingness to move toward being an instrument of the Lord’s peace and healing.
Reflection: What’s your next step as a “missionary disciple?”
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections