Oremus for Sunday, September 21, 2025

Matthew
Matthew appears in the list of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to the gospel written under his name, was a tax collector. Mark and Luke called the tax collector Levi, and it has been assumed that they are one and the same. This occupation was despised by his fellow Jews as a betrayal to the occupying Roman force but Christ showed that judging by outward appearance was not what he was about. He ate with Matthew and with his friends, scandalising those around him. Matthew affirmed that his life would now change because of following Jesus, and that he would make amends for any former wrongdoing. This was enough for Jesus, for he had drawn someone back to God. He was forgiven, therefore he was acceptable, therefore he was received.^EH

Antiphon¹

Ant. Unto you, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul; *
O my God, I trust in you, let me not be put to shame;
do not allow my en-emies to laugh at me;
for none of those who are awaiting you will be disappointed.
Ps. Guide me in your truth, and teach me; †
for you are the God of my salvation. *
I have hoped in you all day long. Psalm 25

God of all good,
you are life and salvation to all:
Make us faithful and wise
in your worship and service,
day by day and step by step
adding fire to fire,
fervor to fervor,
zeal to zeal,
and love to love;
in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen. ²

Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5

O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!

HYMN: William Bright
Tune: Alfreton https://tinyurl.com/vbeehuu6

1 He sat to watch o’er customs paid,
a man of scorned and hardening trade,
alike the symbol and the tool
of foreign masters’ hated rule.

2 But grace within his breast had stirred;
there needed but the timely word:
it came, true Lord of souls, from thee,
that royal summons, ‘Follow me.’

3 Enough, when thou wast passing by,
to hear thy voice, to meet thine eye:
he rose, responsive to the call,
and left his task, his gains, his all.

4 O wise exchange! With these to part,
and lay up treasure in the heart –
who now with crown of light doth shine
among the apostolic line.

5 Come, Saviour, as in days of old;
pass where the world has strongest hold,
and faithless care and selfish greed
are thorns that choke the holy seed.

6 Who keep thy gifts, O bid them claim
the steward’s, not the owner’s name;
who yield all up for thy dear sake,
let them of Matthew’s wealth partake.

PSALMS

Psalm 105 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s2yts33)
1  Give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his Name *
 tell the people what things he hath done.
2  O let your songs be of him, and praise him *
 and let your talking be of all his wondrous works.
3  Rejoice in his holy Name *
 let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4  Seek the Lord and his strength *
 seek his face evermore.
5  Remember the marvellous works that he hath done *
 his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth,
6  O ye seed of Abraham his servant *
 ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7  He is the Lord our God *
 his judgements are in all the world.
8  He hath been alway mindful of his covenant and promise *
 that he made to a thousand generations;
9  Even the covenant that he made with Abraham *
 and the oath that he sware unto Isaac;
10  And appointed the same unto Jacob for a law *
 and to Israel for an everlasting testament;
11  Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan *
 the lot of your inheritance;
12  When there were yet but a few of them *
 and they strangers in the land;
13  What time as they went from one nation to another *
 from one kingdom to another people;
14  He suffered no man to do them wrong *
 but reproved even kings for their sakes;
15  Touch not mine Anointed *
 and do my prophets no harm.
16  Moreover, he called for a dearth upon the land *
 and destroyed all the provision of bread.
17  But he had sent a man before them *
 even Joseph, who was sold to be a bond-servant;
18  Whose feet they hurt in the stocks *
 the iron entered into his soul;
19  Until the time came that his cause was known *
 the word of the Lord tried him.
20  The king sent, and delivered him *
 the prince of the people let him go free.
21  He made him lord also of his house *
 and ruler of all his substance;
22  That he might inform his princes after his will *
 and teach his senators wisdom.
23  Israel also came into Egypt *
 and Jacob was a stranger in the land of Ham.
24  And he increased his people exceedingly *
 and made them stronger than their enemies;
25  Whose heart turned so, that they hated his people *
 and dealt untruly with his servants.
26  Then sent he Moses his servant *
 and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27  And these shewed his tokens among them *
 and wonders in the land of Ham.
28  He sent darkness, and it was dark *
 and they were not obedient unto his word.
29  He turned their waters into blood *
 and slew their fish.
30  Their land brought forth frogs *
 yea, even in their kings’ chambers.
31  He spake the word, and there came all manner of flies *
 and lice in all their quarters.
32  He gave them hail-stones for rain *
 and flames of fire in their land.
33  He smote their vines also and fig-trees *
 and destroyed the trees that were in their coasts.
34  He spake the word, and the grass hoppers came, and caterpillars innumerable *
 and did eat up all the grass in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
35  He smote all the first-born in their land *
 even the chief of all their strength.
36  He brought them forth also with silver and gold *
 there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
37  Egypt was glad at their departing *
 for they were afraid of them.
38  He spread out a cloud to be a covering *
 and fire to give light in the night-season.
39  At their desire he brought quails *
 and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
40  He opened the rock of stone, and the waters flowed out *
 so that rivers ran in the dry places.
41  For why? he remembered his holy promise *
 and Abraham his servant.
42  And he brought forth his people with joy *
 and his chosen with gladness;
43  And gave them the lands of the heathen *
 and they took the labours of the people in possession;
44  That they might keep his statutes *
 and observe his laws.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost,*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Psalm 105 (Gregorian Tone III.4)

1 Give thanks unto the Lord and call upon his Name; *
tell the peoples what things he has done.
2 O let your songs be of him, and praise him, *
and let your speech be of all his wondrous works.
3 Rejoice in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Seek the Lord and his strength; *
seek his face evermore.
5 Remember the marvelous works that he has done, *
his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the Lord our God; *
his judgments are in all the world.
8 He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
and the promise that he made to a thousand generations,
9 Even the covenant that he made with Abraham, *
and the oath that he swore to Isaac,
10 Which he appointed to Jacob for a law, *
and to Israel for an everlasting testament,
11 Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *
to be the portion of your inheritance.”
12 When there were yet but a few of them, *
and they were strangers in the land,
13 And they wandered from nation to nation, *
and from one kingdom to another,
14 He allowed no one to do them wrong, *
but reproved even kings for their sakes:
15 “Do not touch my Anointed, *
and do my prophets no harm.”
16 Moreover, he called for a famine in the land *
and destroyed all the provision of bread.
17 But he had sent a man before them: *
Joseph, who was sold to be a bondservant,
18 Whose feet they hurt in the stocks; *
they put an iron collar around his neck.
19 Until the time came that his sayings were fulfilled, *
the word of the Lord tried him.
20 The king sent and delivered him; *
the ruler of the people let him go free.
21 He made him lord over his house, *
and ruler of all his possessions,
22 That he might instruct his princes according to his will *
and teach his elders wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt, *
and Jacob was a stranger in the land of Ham.
24 And he increased his people exceedingly, *
and made them stronger than their enemies,
25 Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *
and dealt deceitfully with his servants.
26 Then he sent Moses his servant, *
and Aaron whom he had chosen,
27 And they worked his signs among them, *
and wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and it was dark; *
but they were not obedient to his word.
29 He turned their waters into blood *
and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land brought forth frogs, *
even in their kings’ chambers.
31 He spoke the word, and there came all manner of flies, *
and gnats in all their borders.
32 He gave them hailstones for rain, *
and flames of fire in their land.
33 He smote their vines also, and their fig trees, *
and destroyed the trees that were in their borders.
34 He spoke the word, and the grasshoppers came, and locusts innumerable, *
which ate up all the grass in their land and devoured
the fruit of their ground.
35 He smote all the firstborn in their land, *
even the firstfruits of all their strength.
36 He brought forth Israel with silver and gold; *
in all their tribes there was not one who stumbled.
37 Egypt was glad at their departing, *
for they were afraid of them.
38 He spread out a cloud to be a covering, *
and fire to give light in the night season.
39 At their desire he brought quail, *
and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
40 He opened the rock, and the waters flowed out, *
so that rivers ran in the dry places.
41 For he remembered his holy promise *
and Abraham his servant.
42 And he brought forth his people with joy, *
and his chosen ones with gladness,
43 And gave them the lands of the nations, *
and they took the labors of the peoples in possession,
44 That they might keep his statutes *
and observe his laws. Praise the Lord.
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.

PRAYER

Sovereign God,
you subdue the arrogant
and raise the humble;
you feed the hungry
and reveal the poverty of wealth.
Help us to praise your name in all times and places,
that we may be faithful servants
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Proverbs 3:13-18
Happy are those who find wisdom
and those who gain understanding.
Her profit is better than silver,
and her gain better than gold.
Her value exceeds pearls;
all you desire can’t compare with her.
In her right hand is a long life;
in her left are wealth and honor.
Her ways are pleasant;
all her paths are peaceful.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who hold her tight are happy.

HYMN: Psalm 119:65-72; para. Sing Psalms and Trinity Psalter Hymnal, alt.
Tune: Trewen https://tinyurl.com/5n8msd78

65 You’ve treated your servant, O LORD;
as pledged in your word I received.
66 Teach knowledge and judgment to me,
because your commands I’ve believed.
67 Before my affliction I strayed,
but now I will hold to your word.
68 You are good and you do what is good;
teach me your commandments, O LORD.

69 The arrogant smear me with lies,
but I keep your laws with my heart.
70 Their hearts are unfeeling and hard;
I love what your precepts impart.
71 It was good that I suffered distress,
so that I might learn your commands.
72 Your law is more precious to me
than silver and gold in my hands.

READING: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
This is why we don’t get discouraged, given that we received this ministry in the same way that we received God’s mercy. Instead, we reject secrecy and shameful actions. We don’t use deception, and we don’t tamper with God’s word. Instead, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God by the public announcement of the truth. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are on the road to destruction. The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who don’t have faith so they couldn’t see the light of the gospel that reveals Christ’s glory. Christ is the image of God.

We don’t preach about ourselves. Instead, we preach about Jesus Christ as Lord, and we describe ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. God said that light should shine out of the darkness. He is the same one who shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

HYMN: Didache, 2nd century; trans. F. Bland Tucker ©
Tune: Les Commandemens https://tinyurl.com/5n99jhnz

1 Father, we thank Thee who hast planted
Thy holy Name within our hearts.
Knowledge and faith and life immortal
Jesus Thy Son to us imparts.

2 Thou, Lord, didst make all for Thy pleasure,
didst give man food for all his days,
giving in Christ the Bread eternal;
Thine is the pow’r, be Thine the praise.

3 Watch o’er Thy church, O Lord, in mercy,
save it from evil, guard it still.
Perfect it in Thy love, unite it,
cleansed and conformed unto Thy will.

4 As grain, once scattered on the hillsides,
was in this broken bread made one,
so from all lands Thy church be gathered
into Thy kingdom by Thy Son.

READING: Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus continued on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. He said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table.

But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

When Jesus heard it, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.”

CANTICLE Te Deum
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/ybzyundx)

We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud,
the Heavens and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry:
    Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
    Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world
                              doth acknowledge thee,
    the Father, of an infinite majesty,
    thine adorable, true, and only Son,
    also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.
    We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
    whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
    Make them to be numbered with thy saints,
    in glory everlasting.

PRAYERS 

Let us pray to God,
whose word was entrusted to the Apostles
and has spread to all the world.

Empower your Church
to proclaim the saving message of Jesus Christ.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.

Give us courage and strength
to spread the Gospel in places
where it has not been preached.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.

Bless us in our personal lives
that we may live fully according to Jesus’ example.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.

Open our eyes to your Word in the Holy Scriptures
that we find new paths of understanding.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.

Remember, in your mercy, those who have gone before
marked with the sign of faith and led by the Gospel.
Lord of mercy,
spread your word.

Setting by Eric Wyse:²

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

O Almighty God,
whose blessed Son called Matthew the tax collector
to be an apostle and evangelist:
give us grace to forsake the selfish pursuit of gain
   and the possessive love of riches
that we may follow in the way of your Son Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. ^CW

Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14

---

^BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.

² Inspired by John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent (c. 600), as printed in Book of Common Worship (2018)

¹ Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©

^EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997

^CW Common Worship, 2000, Archbishops’ Council, Church of England

The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.

The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalm 105 is from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps.

Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.

Compilation © 2025 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.