The Call of Matthew

Today's Reflections

                                                                 

 

The Call of Matthew 

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Mt 9:9-13

⁹As Jesus passed on… he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. ¹⁰While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹²He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. ¹³Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Reflection:

Matthew sitting at the customs post. Matthew is a tax collector. Tax collectors are not looked upon kindly by the Jewish contemporaries of Jesus for two reasons: (1) because they are collecting taxes for the Romans who have subjugated Israel, and (2) because, just like today, tax collectors are thought to be enriching themselves illicitly. Thus, to be a tax collector is almost equivalent to be a sinner in Jewish eyes.

The perceptive and loving eyes of Jesus, however, see in Matthew much more than others perceive in him. Jesus sees him as a potential disciple, apostle, evangelist, and martyr. He calls him, and Matthew responds enthusiastically, and we know what Matthew has become!

Do not let what men and women think limit you. Think rather of the inner potentials that Jesus sees in you. You have your own vocation and mission in life from Jesus.

Live up to Jesus’ expectations rather than people’s.