Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
Today is the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle, and Evangelist. Matthew’s life and witness prompts me to consider what it means to be with Jesus and consequently what it means to go where Jesus goes. I pray that today we might all be drawn more deeply into the love and presence of Christ and that we might have the kind of loving and merciful hearts that compel us to go where Jesus goes.
“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.” What drew Matthew to Jesus? Certainly, it must have been the irresistible, prevenient grace of God that consumed and captivated Matthew. Surely, it was also divine love that wooed him – a love so strong and overwhelming, so unlike any expression of human love, so extravagant . . . As fully divine and fully human, Jesus manifested the love of the Holy Trinity in his person. This love simultaneously convicted Matthew of his sinfulness and drew him irresistibly into the Divine embrace where he encountered mercy, grace, forgiveness, and freedom. All of that must have overwhelmed Matthew in a defining moment so powerful that it captured him, captured him for Christ forever. I can imagine Matthew being so undone and overcome that he didn’t even really know what he was doing as he stood up from his desk, left his former life behind, and followed Jesus. How about you? Do you know the love of Christ in this way? Have you surrendered to divine love and allowed it to consume you? For those of you old enough to remember the TV commercials for Nestea, I picture surrendering to God’s love like taking the “Nestea Plunge.” Today, may we each take the risk of falling backwards into that pool of God’s love, sinking into its depth, and being washed and refreshed in its fullness.
“While he was at table in his [Matthew’s] house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.” The Jews of Jesus’ day despised tax collectors like Matthew because they were viewed as conspiring with the Roman occupation. Tax collectors were lumped into the general category of “sinner” along with anyone else who was not Law abiding or properly pious. The Pharisees looked scornfully upon Jesus having table fellowship with Matthew and his friends, and questioned Jesus’ judgment. This is a moment that calls each of us to examine our view of others. Take a moment for honest introspection. Who are the “tax collectors and sinners” in your life or in your view of society? With whom would you not be willing to fellowship? As I read this Gospel text anew today, I pictured myself standing across the street from Matthew’s house. I see Jesus walk up to the door, turn, look me in the eye and beckon to me to come join him. Do I receive his invitation? Do I follow Jesus into the house?
I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on something I’ve come to describe as the “reciprocal flow” of my life in Christ. I’m praying to orient myself daily in this flow so that I can grow as a disciple. Here’s what I mean by “reciprocal flow.” I receive God’s love; I offer it back to God and to neighbor. I receive God’s grace; I offer it back to God by asking God to multiply it in my life for the sake of others. I receive God’s mercy; I offer it back to God by being merciful to others. I receive gifts from God in many, many ways and forms; I offer those gifts back to God and ask God to multiply them for God’s greater glory. I receive God’s forgiveness; I offer it back to God by forgiving others. I receive the Eucharist, Christ’s gift of his very self to me, and I offer myself completely back to him – all that I am, all that I have, all that I ever will be or ever will have. That’s not an exclusive list, but you get the idea. Picture an unending flow of receiving and giving back; receiving and giving back. Today, I invite you into the reciprocal flow with me. Operating in the flow requires daily surrender and mindfulness. I’m so far from living my life this way, but I desire daily to grow in this way, and to live into it bit by bit for the rest of my earthly life.
Jesus assures us, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Aren’t you so relieved and grateful that’s true?! As a sinner, called by Jesus, how can I do anything other than respond with deep gratitude and enter the reciprocal flow? What I have received, I must, by the grace of God, return it to God by offering it to others. Let us ask St Matthew for his intercession today, that we might receive the graces we need to be with Jesus in his loving presence and to go where he calls us to go. Amen!
Elizabeth Wells