Friday 4 July 2025 - Follow me

Friday 4 July 2025

Today is Friday the 4th of July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time. Liz Vice with Good Shepherd Collective sings ‘Amazing Grace’ Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! I once was lost, but now am found, I once was blind, but now I see. Through many dangers, toils and snares We have already come: 'tis grace has brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home. We once were lost, but now we're found, We once were blind, but now we see. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Look at the people round the table. Study their facial expressions, their gestures, how they are dressed. Listen to their conversations. Watch how Jesus joins the dinner table. Notice where he sits. How he engages. Smell the food, take in the colours and textures. Hear the critical voices of the Pharisees. Hear Jesus’ response. Listen to the passage again. Where would you be at the party? Place yourself in the scene. Immerse yourself in it. Notice how you feel. Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Speak with Jesus about your response. Be direct. Ask questions. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen