Matthew was a rather unlikely character to be called by Jesus as an apostle, but then again, one could say that about the group of unremarkable fishermen. Matthew was a Jew who collected taxes from his fellow Jews on behalf of the occupying Roman forces.
The Jews considered the occupation of a tax-collector an outrageous disgrace, as they were known cheating their own kind and working for the enemy; tax collectors were named in one breath along with murderers, assassins, thieves, robbers, criminals, and prostitutes. People were shocked to hear Jesus call such a man into his band of intimate followers. Shocking, too would have been the Lord’s teaching that tax-collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God” before the Sadducees and Pharisees, those who considered themselves to be good pious Jews.
The Call of Matthew, the tax-collector, is a reminder that all people, from all walks of life, no matter your sinful past, are called to follow Jesus in the ways of righteousness. Tax-collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom of God before the Sadducees and Pharisees precisely because they were willing to give up their former lives, their preconceived
notions about God, and their sins and follow Jesus.
As the Lord entered the house of the tax collector in order to invite Matthew to conversion and discipleship, the Lord sends us into the houses and lives of our neighbors and fallen-away family members who do not follow Christ, to invite them to new life of Christ.
This certainly requires great humility on our part, that we may never appear self-righteous. Our effectiveness in calling others to Christ, is proportional to our identification with Him and union with Him in grace and mercy. “I require mercy, not sacrifice” is the call for each one of us to embody mercy.
The Sadducees and Pharisees did not understand Jesus and recognize him as God because they did not understand mercy. They were unwilling to become vessels of mercy.
But when we cultivate mercy, through works of charity animated by faith, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience,” as St. Paul writes we become effective instruments of the Lord in calling sinners to righteousness, in building up the Church, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the members of the Church may seek every deeper union with the Lord through the works of mercy, humility, gentleness, and peace. Let us pray to the Lord.
For all those trapped in cycles of sin or addiction, that they may heed the Lord’s invitation to forgiveness and freedom.
For an end to indifference to God and human dignity in our government and educational institutions, businesses, and personal attitudes.
During this month of September, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, we pray for all those who grieve, and that we may grieve sufficiently for our sins.
That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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