Our Gospel reading this Sunday begins with Jesus encountering Matthew the Tax Collector and asking him to become his follower. Matthew doesn’t hesitate; he just leaves everything behind to follow Jesus. It was this Matthew who recorded what he had seen and heard during his time with Jesus to write the Gospel that bears his name. Legend has it that after the ascension he preached in Judea and then travelled to other countries including ancient Persia. Like all the disciples he met his death sharing his faith. We can only pray that we might have a fraction of his courage to share the Good News of Christ’s love for the world.

Revd Liv