On September 21st, 1991, I was ordained a deacon. My life since has been especially attached to St. Matthew’s feast day, which occurs exactly on this date every year.
During the ordination ceremony there is a point in which the candidates are called publicly: “Those to be ordained deacons please come forward!” At that voice, after hearing my own name, I stepped forward, and said, as it was in the ritual: “Present!”
The gospel for St. Matthew’s feast also contains a voice. It is Jesus calling a tax collector and in the process transforming him from a publican to an apostle and a saint. “Follow me!” said the Lord, to the astonishment of people around; and to their amazement, Matthew got up, and went with the Prophet of Nazareth. The whole scene remains clear in your eyes, once you have heard the passage, but you can understand how strongly it sticks to your heart when it is the very day you are being called to be ordained.