Tag: Saint Matthew

Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:9-13)

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [Jesus] heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Jesus calls Matthew as he sits at the customs post, and Matthew follows him immediately. At Matthew’s house, the Pharisees criticize Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. From the point of view of the Pharisees, Jesus chooses the wrong crowd—the outcasts, the ones to be avoided, the unrighteous. But Jesus’ thought-provoking response is an invitation to his mercy not only for tax collectors and sinners but also for the self-righteous who fail to see error in their strict judgment of others. Through his presence among sinners, Jesus shows us where mercy is to be placed, and he speaks that place into existence when he says, “Follow me.”

Father in heaven, you sent Jesus to call every person to yourself away from brokenness and sin. Help me understand, Lord, and take to heart these two realities: you recognize that every person sins—even the righteous—and you desire to heal us with your mercy and compassion. God, help me recognize my constant need for healing through the presence of Christ your Son in the sacraments and in your word. Divine Physician, have mercy on us!

From the Gospel acclamation: “We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.” Saint Matthew, pray for us!

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaVQ82g2C4

Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.” In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew immediately drops whatever he is doing and follows Jesus.

The painting by Caravaggio, The Calling of Saint Matthew, shows Matthew among four others, who also appear to be tax collectors. Matthew is hunched over a table, counting change as another tax collector helps him. In his left hand, Matthew clutches close to his chest what appears to be a money bag. The way Matthew slumps over the table and the coins reminds me of the way I must look as I work at my desk during the day, strong in self-reliance and confident in my ability but often forgetting that Jesus says throughout the day, “Follow me.” Just as in the past, the temptation today is strong to cling to what we know. In my own life, there are the attachments to comfort, material goods, and a desire and expectation to earn a certain amount of money and the honor and self-respect that go along with that. How can I be more like Matthew and follow Jesus as he describes in the Gospel: “And he got up and followed him.”

Lord, you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you know when I am falling down. There are days when I feel on the losing end—not enough time, not worthy enough, not wealthy enough—and that if I just manipulated one more thing, things would turn around for me. I think that “me” is what you called Matthew out of. He left the company of tax collectors, the money bag he clutched, and the desperate sense that there is not enough, that there would never be enough. You came to him, Divine Physician, because he was sick and needed to lose his life through following you to find your unfathomable mercy.

I believe Jesus called Matthew in the same way he called Peter to walk on the water. Both were planted firmly on the solid ground of their professional lives: Matthew at his customs post and Peter in his fishing boat. Lord, say to me today: “Follow me.” I can’t be certain I will do your will or that I will even hear you. Let your grace make clear to me what it is you have to give to me. Let me realize that in your love there is enough; there is more than enough.

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.

Readings

The Calling of Saint Matthew