The collect for today, the Feast of Saint Matthew, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):
O ALMIGHTY God, who by thy blessed Son didst call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist: Grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires and inordinate love of riches, and to follow the same thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
The Gospel: St. Matthew 9:9-13
Artwork: Lorenzo Ghiberti, St. Matthew, 1419-23. Bronze, Orsanmichele, Florence. (The photograph shows a modern copy of the original. The latter has been placed in the interior museum of Orsanmichele to protect against the elements and vandalism.) Photograph taken by admin, 18 May 2010.