Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
Today we celebrate St. Matthew and his life as both an apostle and evangelist. Each of us are also called to follow Jesus as His disciples and to use our gifts to build up the Body of Christ. Jesus reminds us that we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy. When we recognize that we are all equal in the eyes of God, we have a great starting place to work together to become God’s holy people united in Christ.
In the gospel today, Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him, and Matthew immediately follows. The Pharisees are bewildered that Jesus is associating with tax-collectors and sinners like Matthew. Jesus simply comments that HIs message is one of mercy, and those who are broken and sinful are the ones that are able to hear and receive God’s good news and grace.
The first reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians also reminds us that we are all called to follow Christ. A disciple of Jesus is one who lives in humility, gentleness, patience and love. Through our lives, we are urged to “preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit.” Paul emphasizes the significance of unity and building up the Body of Christ. Every person is given particular gifts that are to be used to help attain this “full stature to Christ.”
What does this mean for us and our lives of faith? Each of us is called to follow Jesus and become part of the Body of Christ. When I think of the many times I have worked together with others towards a goal, it seems that having something in common helps improve the cohesiveness and function of the group. From these readings, it seems that Jesus is reminding us that we are all sinners- and all in need of God’s mercy. When we start from this place of humility, we recognize that we are all equal in the eyes of God. I think it is striking that Pope Francis was asked, “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?" and he simply said, "I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner." Pope Francis understands that the great mercy of God given to each of us is how we are called to respond to others. No person or gift is more important, since each individual is necessary to create the whole. When we see how we are connected in our need for mercy, then we are led by grace and the Spirit in the ways we think, talk, and act in the world. As we set aside our righteousness and treat others with the mercy we have been given, then the grace of God will provide a foundation on which we can work towards becoming one in Christ.
Loving God, Jesus calls each of us to follow Him in bringing your love and mercy to others. Send down Your Spirit so we can become one in You. May your mercy bring us healing and guide us to use our gifts for the building up of Your kingdom. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN
Marylynn Herchline