Sep 21 – Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
St. Matthew was the son of Alphaeus, and he lived at Capernaum on Lake Genesareth. He was a Roman tax collector, a position equated with collaboration with the enemy by those from whom he collected taxes. Jesus’ contemporaries were surprised to see the Christ with a traitor, but Jesus explained that he had come “not to call the just, but sinners”.
Matthew’s Gospel is given pride of place in the canon of the New Testament, and was written to convince Jewish readers that their anticipated Messiah had come in the person of Jesus. He preached among the Jews for 15 years; his audiences may have included the Jewish enclave in Ethiopia, and places in the East.
- Patron Saint Index
Eph 4:1-7,11-13
Mt 9:9-13
…lead a life worthy of your vocation.
For a long time, I understood ‘vocation’ to mean my profession. Since I’m married, I assumed it couldn’t be a religious calling. So, my discernment often focused on a single question: “Lord, what do you want me to do (for work) to live a purposeful life?” I expected my vocation to be one definitive thing — something I’d commit to for life, once I figured it out.
A year ago, I wrote an Oxygen reflection on the same Gospel passage from Matthew 9:9-13. What struck me then was how St. Matthew immediately got up and left his post when Jesus said, “Follow me.”
At that time, I was facing career uncertainty due to organisational restructuring at my workplace, and I was considering a career change after more than 30 years in the corporate world. I wondered if there was one specific vocation (profession) I was truly meant for.
Reflecting on my experience walking the Camino de Santiago, where clear yellow arrows pointed the way, I had prayed for similar clarity in my life decisions. So, when I read the Gospel verse, “Follow me,” I took it as a sign that God was giving me direction — an affirmation that I should leave my old job and follow Him.
And so I did. I left my corporate role and took a new position working for the Church. It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, but the result of months of prayerful discernment. When the opportunity arose, I embraced it, thinking, “This must be the purposeful work I was created for.”
However, a few months later, when the job didn’t work out, I felt lost. Had I discerned incorrectly? Was I following my will, instead of His?
But as Scripture reminds us, God’s ways are not our ways. I once believed that a call from Jesus was a one-time, life-altering event. The Bible is full of stories of saints who heeded God’s call and dramatically changed the course of their lives—like St. Matthew, who left his job to follow Jesus, or St. Paul, who went from persecuting Christians to becoming an apostle.
I now realise I was mistaken. God’s call often unfolds gradually, and I’ve come to see His wisdom at work in my life.
The same month I left my job, I volunteered for the papal mass. If I had still been working, I wouldn’t have had time to serve in that capacity nor to attend the many evening meetings and rehearsals. I also wouldn’t have been available to help with other aspects of the papal visit. In this season, I feel blessed to be able to volunteer, serve in my parish, and step in whenever needed. Through these acts of service, I’ve rediscovered joy.
Over the past months, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of my vocation — not just as a profession, but as a broader calling that reflects what I’m drawn to do, using my talents and passions. It’s not always a dramatic, life-changing event. Instead, to “lead a life worthy of your vocation” means to answer the Lord’s call daily and live faithfully in the roles He has entrusted to me — as a child of God, a daughter, a wife, a friend, and an active member of my community.
As Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Brothers and sisters, how is the Lord calling you to live your vocation today?
(Today’s OXYGEN by Esther Leet)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help me to discern Your call each day. Guide me to respond with love and humility, so that I may always act according to Your will and lead a life that is pleasing to You.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for the graces and gifts You have given each of us, enabling us to live out our vocation in the many roles with which we are blessed. May we always lead lives that glorify You and build up Your Church.
OXYGEN 
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