Matthew was a Jew who worked for the occupying Roman forces,
collecting taxes from other Jews. The Romans were not scrupulous about what the
"tax farmers" got for themselves. Hence the latter, known as
"publicans," were generally hated as traitors by their fellow Jews.
The Pharisees lumped them with "sinners" (see
Matthew 9:11-13). So it was shocking to them to hear Jesus call such
a man to be one of his intimate followers.
Matthew got Jesus in further trouble by having a sort of
going-away party at his house. The Gospel tells us that "many" tax
collectors and "those known as sinners" came to the dinner. The
Pharisees were still more badly shocked. What business did the supposedly great
teacher have associating with such immoral people? Jesus' answer was,
"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" (Matthew 9:12b-13). Jesus is not setting
aside ritual and worship; he is saying that loving others is even more
important.
No other particular incidents about Matthew are found in the New
Testament.
Stories:
We imagine Matthew,
after the terrible events surrounding the death of Jesus, going to the mountain
to which the risen Lord had summoned them. “When they saw him, they worshiped,
but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them [we think of him looking
at each one in turn, Matthew listening and excited with the rest], ‘All power
in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age’ ” (Matthew 28:17–20).
Matthew would never forget that day. He proclaimed the Good News
by his life and by his word. Our faith rests upon his witness and that of his
fellow apostles.
Comment:
From such an unlikely situation, Jesus chose one of the
foundations of the Church, a man others, judging from his job, thought was not
holy enough for the position. But he was honest enough to admit that he was one
of the sinners Jesus came to call. He was open enough to recognize truth when
he saw him. "And he got up and followed him" (Matthew 9:9b).
Patron Saint of: Accountants Bankers Bookkeepers Tax collectors
No comments:
Post a Comment