Homily – September 21, 2009 – St. Matthew

+ In the gospel passage Jesus makes it very clear that sinners are his top priority, rather than codling those who think they are self righteous. Unless every person counts him or herself into fellowship with Jesus as a sinner, they will not be allowed to count themselves in with him as redeemer and savior! The scene we have in the gospel passage today underscores this idea excellently. Jesus first of all calls one who is known as a suspicious public personage – a tax collector – as an Apostle (of all things); and then he goes and has supper in his house with well known sinners of all degrees and types.

The ones who murmured of course were the Pharisees – who no doubt were just returning from the temple and their evening sacrifices. Jesus tells them point blank – it is mercy that I want, it is mercy that I came to distribute, it is mercy that I offer everyone – even you. I do not want your sacrifices, I want you to be merciful! Of course, they persisted in their ignorance!

And so St. Matthew, a tax collector – who was despised by his own people because he was working for the Roman occupation and no doubt gouging a large commission from his collections for himself – was called to be an Apostle and an evangelist of the Lord. On Matthew's part he con-verted, he allowed his life to be turned around by Jesus, and he followed him wherever he went from that point on! Jesus and the Holy Spirit used him to write down the first gospel in terms that the Jews and unbelievers could understand: in the first case to prevent the Jewish people who had come to Jesus from backsliding; and to help unbelievers know that Jesus was indeed the long awaited Messiah!

Matthew's missionary work took place most likely in Ethiopia and Persia, where he most likely died a martyr's death! He used well the grace given him by Christ to do his specifically designated work! He was a good and faithful servant! May we be the same today!

We must proclaim the unity of faith, and hope in the bond of charity and peace so that the world may affirm the reality of the Son of God matured to full stature in Christ Jesus the Lord! Amen!