On St. Matthew, the Gospel, and Related Studies
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Last week’s post gave two news clips from Zenit
news: one on the gathering of the Brothers of
Mount Carmel for their general chapter, and the
second was on the message of Pope Benedict XVI to
the people at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Austria
on the importance of valuing the Sunday Mass as
an “inner necessity”. Last post also had an article
on the Rule of St. Albert - a rule given to the
first “Carmelites” who lived as hermits, mendicants,
and pilgrims on Mount Carmel in the 13th century.
Finally, there were two pages dedicated to books,
music and films of various topics and themes:
on classical music, on Carmelite saint, St.
Edith Stein, on the Blessed Virgin Mary,
on John Paul II, and more. To review the
information from last week’s post, you can
click here.
This week’s post offers two sources of stability
in the faith: a Catholic prayer book and four
meditation books from Benedictine monk Fr. John
Main, OSB. Since September 21 is the feast of
St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, three
pages are dedicated for the feast: one on books
and music at discount prices through our affiliate
program with Ignatius Press; a blog post on a
brief biography on St. Matthew; and an article
that helps those who wish to have a general
understanding of the gospel of Matthew.
This post features:
- Catholic Prayer Book -
edited by Msgr. Michael Buckley, SJ - Four Short Books on
Meditation by Fr. John Main - Books and Music on Sale
on the Feast of St. Matthew - Saint Matthew, Apostle
and Evangelist - Lectionary Readings for
the 25th Sunday of the Year, Year C - Key to a General Understanding
of the Gospel of St. Matthew
Catholic Prayer Book
The modernity of Vatican II has opened the eyes
of the faithful and taught many to be more ecumenical
and interreligious in their faith. This Catholic Prayer
Book is in line with that spirit. Though primarily
Catholic, it also incorporates prayers of other
Christian traditions and of other religions. Compiled
in this manner, the prayer book becomes a unique
treasure that one will keep not only for oneself
but also for the next generation of members in the
family. What is also special about this prayer book
is that it introduces the Catholic to the wealth of
prayer traditions that is present also in other
Christian faiths and religious traditions. The wisdom
that is embedded in the prayers of other Christians
reintroduces us to the depth of our Christian faith
in Jesus.
Four Books on Meditation
Teaching from the context of Benedictine spirituality,
John Main reintroduces us to the spiritual wealth
that we can tap through the method of meditation.
Living in a much secularized world, we are often
distracted by the many things we see around us.
John Main teaches us how to focus through meditation
and help us ground our being well in God through a
method that he has discovered as a Benedictine, and
through the assimilation of meditation practices
used by those in religious life after Vatican II.
Distraction often causes us to be dissipated in our
thoughts, our feelings and even in our actions.
Through the art of meditation, we can recover our
grounding in God so that we can proceed in the
activities we are obliged to do in a more focused
manner - helping us to concentrate in all of our
work.
Books and Music: 20% off
Featured on this page are books and music in honor
of the feast of St. Matthew. Knowledge of Christ
through the gospels is most often the path by which
many of the saints have been inspired with and received
their call from God. The gospel of St. Matthew is
one of the most Christ-centered of the four gospels
that can inspire anyone with the wisdom of Christ -
a wisdom that leads us to know that Jesus is what
matters for us. Reflections on the gospel of Matthew
featured in this page are from: Christoph Cardinal
Schonborn, Yvonne Whiteman, and Erasmo Leiva.
Saint Matthew the Apostle
Not much is known about the apostles except through
mention of them in the Roman martyrology and in the
legends surrounding their martyrdom. St. Matthew was
originally known as Levi. He was a publican tax
collector - a social status in early Jewish religious
society equal to sinners and prostitutes. Despite
his social status, Jesus came to Matthew’s tax
collector post one day and invited him to follow Him.
Matthew at once responded, left his post, and soon
became one of Christ’s apostles. A record of Christ’s
life is recorded by him in his gospel - the gospel of
Matthew. The Roman martyrology tells that he was
martyred in Ethiopia. Other legends tell that he
first preached in Judea and then went to the East
and was martyred in Persia.
Lectionary: 25th Sunday Year C
The lectionary readings for the 25th sunday of the Year,
Year C, are taken from the book of the prophet Amos,
the letter of Paul to Timothy, and the gospel of Luke.
In the book of Amos, the prophet Amos speaks in behalf
of Yahweh, who reproves those who “trample upon the
needy and destroy the poor of the land”. Yahweh expresses
his displeasure against these people who take advantage
of the poor. In the letter of Paul to Timothy, we
find Paul exhorting his hearers to offer prayers
for those in authority so that all may lead undisturbed
and tranquil lives. Paul reminds his hearers that
prayers of this kind is good and God is pleased with
it. In the gospel of Luke, the priest is given the
option to use the long form or the short form of the
gospel. The long form of the gospel contains a parable
while the short form just states the teaching of Jesus
in relation to a parable on money matters. Jesus uses
this parable on the wise steward as an example for us
so that we may learn to always be reminded of money
as a means and not as an end in life.
Understanding Matthew’s Gospel
One way of understanding the gospel of Matthew is
by examining the meaning of the last passage in the
gospel. New Testament professor and writer, Fr.
Herman Hendrickx gives us a clue to what Matthew
wants to convey about the person of Jesus, and what
the Church is called to do through this last passage
in Matthew 28:16-20. Stating in a few words, Fr.
Hendrickx teaches that the evangelist St. Matthew
wants to present Christ as a servant, and the Church
as one also called to service in the spirit of Jesus.
With the commission of Christ to preach the gospel
to all peoples, the Church is thus seen as a servant
Church and a community of disciples commissioned
to make disciples according to the example of Christ’s
life of service to all.
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