Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 21, 2023 - Sept. 21 - St. Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
[Eph 4:1-7, 11-13 and Matt 9:9-13]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. [Ephesians] "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" [Jesus] heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of these words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." [Matthew]
Tax collectors are rarely popular folks. In Jesus' time, no pious Jew, especially a Pharisee, would have anything to do with one, They not only worked for the Roman occupiers, they also handled Roman money which had the image of an emperor regarded as divine. This made them "unclean" in the eyes of folks like the Pharisees. Matthew (Levi) didn't seem to lack for friends, however. Jesus invited him to be one of his disciples and he invited Jesus to dinner with him and others like him. His fellow tax collectors and "sinners" (folks in any trade the Pharisees considered "unclean," like tannery) were the invited guests. The Pharisees corner one of the other disciples and question why Jesus would eat with such people!
Jesus' reply to the Pharisees is one we can all learn from. Pope Francis has written a book by the title, THE NAME OF GOD IS MERCY. He has invited all kinds of people to the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday and received criticism from pious Catholic circles for doing it. He has referred to the church as a "field hospital for the sick and wounded." Jesus quotes from Hosea the prophet to remind us all of the primacy of mercy: I desire mercy not sacrifice. [Hosea 6:6]. The "righteous" can forget their need for mercy and be deaf to Jesus' call. The celebration of Matthew the tax collector's call to discipleship can serve as a reminder to us of that need. AMEN