St. Mathew, Apostle and Evangelist (Feast)
Theme: Our call
Today the church celebrates the feast of St. Mathew who was both an Apostle and Evangelist. In the life of St. Mathew, we see the love of God for his people; irrespective of our state in life. Jesus called Mathew as a tax collector. A man that is seen by the people as a public sinner. Humanly speaking, many of the people of his time would not be able to understand why Jesus will call a public sinner to be among his most trusted men. It will not be any different if it happens in our own time too. But Jesus defends his choice of Mathew very well with his assertion that “it is the sick that is in need of healing and not the healthy”. He came for the sinners and not the righteous. This is a great lesson for all of us as children of God. We have to e slow in judging other people, but rather hear them out and know why they are acting the way they do; remember we are all the children of Abraham.
In the 1st reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he encourages us to live a life that is worthy of our call, just like St. Mathew did after encountering Jesus. Our call invites us as Christians to live a life that is good and pleasing to God at all times. We have to live a life that promotes the gospel imperatives of peace, love, unity. By so doing promoting the gifts that God has given us and also promoting the kingdom of God here on earth. Our call gives us the opportunity to lead good and holy lives that will make us better people and ambassadors of Christ here on earth, as we continue to propagate the values of the kingdom here on earth. My brothers and sisters in Christ, as we celebrate the feast of the Apostle Mathew today, let us resolve to live a life that is worthy of our call as children of God.
Dearly beloved in Christ, in the gospel reading we see the call of Mathew from his Tax office by Jesus; he left everything and followed Jesus. In the same way too, the Lord is calling you and I to come and follow him. Just like Mathew, let us resolve today to answer his call without reservations and give him a chance in our life for real. All those who took that bold step of faith never regretted it and they became better people. We see that in the life of St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Paul, St. Mathew and so many other people. With God it is never too late, you can decide to accept his invitation today and give him a chance in your life. May God bless you as you take this bold step in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.