Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
 |
| The Calling of St. Matthew by Caravaggio |
(Jesus said) "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 9:12-13)
Piety
Sharing in that saving joy, O Lord, with which St. Matthew welcomed the Savior as a guest in his home, we pray: Grant that we may always be renewed by the food we receive from Christ, who came to call not the just, but sinners to salvation. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
(Prayer after Communion from the Mass for the Day)
Study
A bit of mystery shrouds the man called Matthew but consensus has it that he was, indeed, a disrespected character whose “yes” and fidelity to Jesus led him to become the first of the evangelists and a saint. Of course, the leaders of the temple were scandalized and Matthew’s call to discipleship puts me in mind of Pope Francis’ recent words in Columbia. He pointed out “that true freedom is found in letting go of the superficial things we cling to for security, embracing instead a discipleship which has the courage to follow Jesus in living in the fullness of the law. ‘For the Lord, as also for the first community, it is of the greatest importance that we who call ourselves disciples not cling to a certain style or to particular practices that cause us to be more like some Pharisees than like Jesus’.”[i]
According to the footnotes to the NAB, Paul’s description of Christian community explains “Christian unity is more than adherence to a common belief. It is manifested in the exalted Christ’s gifts to individuals to serve so as to make the community more Christlike” [ii] It’s just too easy to scapegoat those not like us even if wrapped in a true desire to remain “authentic” or adhering to an imagined tradition. It’s also easy to write off the Matthews who might, indeed, be cheating, lying, hurting others. Christ asks us to reach out and serve – not condone sin - and make the community more Christlike not just “me” more Christlike.
Action
Caravaggio’s beautiful painting shows us St. Matthew probably saying in disbelief, “Who Me?” How powerful can be our humility, gentleness, patience, and desire for unity in the spirit in the world today? Take a moment to lovingly listen to someone from the LGTB community, or who has had an abortion, who voted for an elected official you detest, who worships in a manner or with a faith you find suspect, or other. Build a bridge. God calls! God does not want “do not enter signs” within our own hearts.
Illustration: The Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Calling_of_St_Matthew_(Caravaggio)#/media/File:The_Calling_of_Saint_Matthew-Caravaggo_(1599-1600).jpg
#/media/File:The_Calling_of_Saint_Matthew-Caravaggo_(1599-1600).jpg){kind=link}
No comments:
Post a Comment