Seen at Every Step

Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist

Reading 1 Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace:
one Body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ's gift.

And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the Body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 9:9-13

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."

- - -

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

September 22, 2026 // Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm: Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44

Reflect on the Word //

There it was, heading my Facebook feed: the image of a carpeted staircase in the wood-paneled corridor of a 19th-century European home. “These are the stairs in the childhood home of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux,” the caption announced, recounting a cherished story that occurred here. As a toddler, Thérèse Martin would climb up and down these stairs, stopping on each step to call “Mama!” Only after her mother gave her a tender response would the little one proceed to the next step. I smiled while taking in the setting of this early instance of Thérèse’s future great spirituality of constant childlike confidence in God.

While praying today’s Psalm, I feel like little Saint Thérèse on that staircase. Each verse is just two lines long, so we pause for the response more frequently: “Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands” (Psalm 119:35). With this rhythm, I imagine myself on a journey that renews my reliance on Jesus with every step, every breath.

How can I walk this journey in a blessed and blameless manner? (see Psalm 119:1) The Psalm indicates that following the Lord is more than a play-by-play rulebook: It involves cultivating a relationship. My part is to keep His precepts in front of me and ask the Lord to strengthen my mind’s understanding, steady my will’s discerning powers, and expand my heart’s capacity to delight in Him (see Psalm 119:27, 34, 35). Jesus reminds me today that when I follow Him, I do not merely tread a trail. I must be immersed in the entire way of His truth (see Psalm 119:30) for the big things—like observing the Ten Commandments and deep prayer around major decisions—but in the smaller dots of daily life too.

We are seen at every step because He is not merely at the end of the path, but present along the trail with us. Sister, our lives are never a solo walk. The Heavenly Father has eyes for our glances towards Him, ears for our voices, and guidance for our climb up the staircase of this life towards eternity in His home.

Relate to the Lord // Ask for Saint Thérèse’s intercession as you resolve to take the next right step today.

Pray + Plan

About Leila Joy Castillo

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Leila Joy Castillo is passionate about bringing Christ to others through the written word in her freelance work, particularly as a media contractor for Ascension and as a homeschool literature tutor. She studied at Ave Maria University and is a lifelong Floridian, so mountains especially delight her heart. Leila could spend far too long chatting about Catholic travel destinations, the saints, life with her three wonderful siblings, and almost anything Jane Austen. She also enjoys creating Catholic content on Instagram, where you can find her @joyfullyleila.