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Week 25 of Ordinary Time

Last Light · Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Monday, September 21, 2026

Prayer Reading Mode: Prayer Space

Hours Depth: Medium

About today

Matthew was sitting at the tax booth when Jesus said, “Follow me.” He rose and followed, and the Church received a Gospel that begins with a genealogy of mercy: sinners and foreigners in the line of the Messiah. His feast is 21 September, a tax collector set among the apostles. Ask today for the grace to leave the table where we count our own, and to write with our lives the good news that Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Original – Prayer on Fire.

Saint Matthew, Apostle and EvangelistChoose how you want to pray this hour:

Opening

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

Hymn

Commending my spirit to you, I rest As one who is held, not lost. The enemy of peace has no true claim Where you have paid the cost. Keep the door. Keep the dream. Keep the name you spoke in love. I sleep beneath the shelter of your wings Until you call above.

Original – Prayer on Fire

Psalm I

Antiphon

Foundation stones of the Church, pray that we may be faithful.

Psalm 31 (30):2–6

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

In you, Lord, I have hoped; let me never be confounded. In your justice, deliver me. Incline your ear to me. Hasten to rescue me. Be for me a protector God and a house of refuge, so as to accomplish my salvation. For you are my strength and my refuge; and for the sake of your name, you will lead me and nourish me. You will lead me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me. For you are my protector. Into your hands, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.

Glory Be

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.

Antiphon

Foundation stones of the Church, pray that we may be faithful.

Psalm II

Antiphon

Sent by the Lord, we go without fear, carrying only your name.

Psalm 134 (133):1–2

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

Behold, bless the Lord now, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. In the nights, lift up your hands in sanctity, and bless the Lord.

Glory Be

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.

Antiphon

Sent by the Lord, we go without fear, carrying only your name.

Silence

Hold the psalm a little longer.

Reading of the feast

Revelation 22:4–5

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

And they shall see his face. And his name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more. And they will not need the light of a lamp, nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Responsory

The Lord is wonderful in his saints. Blessed be God in his gifts. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Nunc Dimittis

Antiphon

Glory of your people, be our last thought and our first.

Luke 2:29–32

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Canticle

“Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples: the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”

Glory Be

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.

Antiphon

Glory of your people, be our last thought and our first.

Intercessions

Peace to this house, this room, this bed. Drive away rehearsed fears; be our wall until we wake.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Closing prayer

God our Father, you give the Church this day of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. Let the grace of this Hour stay with us in work and rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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An original Prayer on Fire offering for the hours of the day