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A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Rt Revd Mary Stallard, Bishop of Llandaff.

Good morning. It feels timely that just when I start to get notifications from HMRC that paper tax-returns need to be filed by the end of October, the Church recalls St Matthew the tax-collector who some think may have been one of the Gospel writers.

I’ve yet to meet anyone, apart from friends who’re accountants, who seem to enjoy sorting out their tax affairs. But the subject of tax does arouse strong feelings, it is important for the good ordering of society, and the Bible has much to say about using money well and caring for the poor.

But St Matthew’s story isn’t all or only about tax or money: you could say it’s more about change than high-finance (if you’ll pardon the pun). When Jesus encountered him, Matthew was focussed upon looking after himself, lining his own pockets, by working for an occupying government who oppressed his own people. Jesus called him away from selfishness and security to a lifestyle dedicated to prayer and voluntary work amongst the poorest and most excluded of his day.

What strikes me as most extraordinary about all this is first, that Jesus looked for companions amongst unlikely people, even those he’d good reason to despise, and then, that Matthew felt so compelled by Jesus’ invitation, that he completely turned his life around, putting God and neighbour before all else.

The Gospel that bears Matthew’s name has much to say about generosity, and about using money and all our gifts carefully, serving God and others.

God of all, thank you for all the gifts you give to us, Help us to be generous in our loving and our giving, that together we might work for a more just and generous world. Amen.