Finding Wisdom on St Matthew's Day

Matthew, apostle and evangelist, was one of those who left everything, including his ill-gotten wealth, to become a disciple of Jesus.  You can read part of his story in Matthew 9: 9 - 13.

Last year in Dropping Everything I used an image of a painting by Len Peralto to reflect on Matthew's life-changing decision to leave his way of life and follow Jesus. 

'Calling' is about how Jesus came to meet Levi (aka Matthew) at his usual place of work, how Jesus saw something better in Matthew than others saw and how Jesus then enjoyed a banquet with Matthew and his disreputable friends. When criticized for this, Jesus said he had come for sinners not for those who thought they were OK. Jesus was not as choosy about the company he kept as we are.

The collect prayer for today asks for
"...grace to forsake the selfish pursuit of gain 
and the possessive love of riches"
to follow in the way of Jesus Christ. 

I chose an image of jewels for today's post because of the beautiful Proverbs reading set for today. Here it is:


Happy are those who find wisdom,
and those who get understanding,
for her income is better than silver,
and her revenue better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called happy.

Proverbs 3: 13-16 NRSV



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