September 21, 2018 (Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist)
Come follow me
Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist. He was born in Capernaum and was a tax collector by profession, before he was called by Jesus. He wrote one the gospel accounts of the life and mission of Jesus.
Our first reading today (Ephesians 4:1-7.11-13) is Paul's explanation of the diversity of gifts in the community, but for a single purpose of building up the body of Christ. Paul developed this passage to call the church in Ephesus to unity. "I... beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Paul reminds them of the bond emanating from their baptism: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God who is Father of us all." He calls on the community to appreciate the diversity of the gifts God has bestowed upon them by seeing their gifts as something that should unite rather than divide. These ministries are opportunities for service, and as long as each one looks to the interest of the community in the discharge of their duties, the community will be better enriched. He mentioned some of the gifts: "And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and teachers..." Every gift is for the community and not the individual. How are you using the gifts and talents you have received from God? Is the community benefitting from what you have?
Today's gospel (Matthew 9:9-13) describes in Matthew's own words, how he was called by Jesus. As a tax-collector, he was at his duty post in the tax office when Jesus who was passing, suddenly called out to him, "Follow me." With no hesitation on the side of Matthew, he followed Jesus. His conversion was celebrated in his house with a feast, at which other tax collectors were present. This however did not go down well with the Pharisees who complained to the disciples of Jesus. He however responded, "Those who are well, have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous but sinners." We are very fortunate to follow Jesus. How many of us are completely free of sin? If he were in the world to gather the righteous, many of us will be unfit, by the standard of the Pharisees, not to talk of God's standard. His mercy however opens wide the channel of grace for us all. His mercy outweighs his justice. Like Matthew, you may have done many things wrong even though they are officially right, but recognising your unworthiness, come to the Lord who is more than ready to take you into his arms of mercy and who calls out to you again today--"Come, follow me!"
Let us pray: Lord, just as you looked on Matthew and made him your follower, look kindly upon me in my unworthiness and help me to abandon the way of sin to follow you. Amen. May the Almighty God bless you, the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen