Monday, September 21, 2020
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Fresh start
He gave some to be apostles.
But how could that be me, Lord? I’m a tax collector for the Romans, and my countrymen despise me. I’ve become an introvert over the years, so now I spend more time with my dog, sweet thing, than any human.
But grace was given to each of us
According to the measure of Christ’s gift.
It’s true. I had heard of Jesus, but now I have seen him. And he has seen me! How this can be, I cannot know, but as he walked by, as he looked into my eyes, he said “Follow me.”
He said the same thing to Nicodemus, or so I have heard, and the great teacher could not do it. Not so Matthew! I may not be able to take my dog, but I will ask my parents to care for him. And I will follow Jesus! The other disciples aren’t so sure about me, of course. Many of them have had to pay me taxes, and some of them have been unable. But no longer. I am part of the team.
Together we praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord
The glorious company of Apostles praise you.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
Their words to the ends of the world.
I kept a journal for years, and of course I’ll keep it now, walking with Jesus. Such a simple thing to write, that Jesus saw me and invited me. He did not ask, “What do you want me to do for you, Matthew?” What would I have said? I’m not blind or lame, and my sins are mostly those of omission. I have never been greedy or envious. But I have been afraid! And watching Jesus, my fear fades away.
Jesus always knows what to say. He saw the Pharisees peering in at us at dinner. They were judging us, tax collectors, sinners. But Jesus pays them a back-handed complement and shuts down their false judgments.
Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
This fresh start Jesus is giving me changes everything. I had no purpose except to love my dog. Now the whole world awaits. What God wants, what I am good at, what the world needs … it all comes together NOW. Jesus invites me, as he did the Pharisees over and over, to learn the ways of God.
Go and learn what this means:
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
Say yes, leave it all behind, and sleep well tonight.
(Ephesians 4, Psalm 19, Matthew 9)
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