FIRST READING
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
ALLELUIA
See Te Deum
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 9:9-13
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. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He 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.”
REFLECTIONS:
What is God's call on your life? Jesus chose Matthew
to be his follower and friend, not because Matthew was religious or learned,
popular or saintly. Matthew appeared to be none of those. He chose to live
a life of wealth and ease. His profession was probably the most corrupted
and despised by everyone because tax collectors made themselves wealthy
by over-charging and threatening people if they did not hand over their
money to them. What did Jesus see in Matthew that others did not see? When
the prophet Samuel came to the house of Jesse to anoint the future heir
to the throne of Israel, he bypassed all the first seven sons and chose
the last! "God looks at the heart and not at the appearance of a man" he
declared. David's heart was like a compass looking for true north it
pointed to God. Matthew's heart must have yearned for God, even though
he dare not show his face in a synagogue the Jewish house of prayer and
the study of Torah God's law. When Jesus saw Matthew sitting at his tax
office no doubt counting his day's profit Jesus spoke only two words
"follow me". Those two words changed Matthew from a self-serving profiteer
to a God-serving apostle who would bring the treasures of God's kingdom
to the poor and needy.
John Chrysostom, the great 5th century church father, describes Matthew's
calling: "Why did Jesus not call Matthew at the same time as he called
Peter and John and the rest? He came to each one at a particular time when
he knew that they would respond to him. He came at a different time to
call Matthew when he was assured that Matthew would surrender to his call.
Similarly, he called Paul at a different time when he was vulnerable, after
the resurrection, something like a hunter going after his quarry. for he
who is acquainted with our inmost hearts and knows the secrets of our minds
knows when each one of us is ready to respond fully. Therefore he did not
call them all together at the beginning, when Matthew was still in a hardened
condition. Rather, only after countless miracles, after his fame spread
abroad, did he call Matthew. He knew Matthew had been softened for full
responsiveness."
When the Pharisees challenged Jesus' unorthodox behavior in eating with
public sinners, Jesus defense was quite simple. A doctor doesnt need
to visit healthy people; instead he goes to those who are sick. Jesus likewise
sought out those in the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of
the whole person body, mind, and spirit. Jesus came as the divine physician
and good shepherd to care for his people and to restore them to wholeness
of life. The orthodox were so preoccupied with their own practice of religion
that they neglected to help the very people who needed spiritual care.
Their religion was selfish because they didnt want to have anything to
do with people not like themselves. Jesus stated his mission in unequivocal
terms:
I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners.
Ironically
the orthodox were as needy as those they despised. All have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
On more than one occasion Jesus quoted the saying from the prophet Hosea: For
I desire mercy and not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). Do you thank the Lord
for the great mercy he has shown to you? And do you show mercy to
your neighbor as well?
"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold;
Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse
them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with
your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence.
Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself.
(Prayer
of Augustine, 354-430)
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