Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Yrs 1 and 2 2024

Title

To Be an Apostle

Outline

It was an unlikely beginning.

Matthew was, as usual, at his customs post in Capernaum on the NE border of Herodian Galilee. For his one misdeed of working for the Herodian government he was an outcast, not allowed in the synagogue, not allowed to marry a Jewish woman. But, it turns out, very much interested in Judaism.

Jesus passes, having healed a paralytic shortly before. Perhaps Matthew, also known as Levi, knew of Jesus because one of Jesus’ followers, James son of Alphaeus, was apparently his brother. Matthew, however, was the black sheep. And then in a sovereign act Jesus calls Matthew, “Follow me.” Matthew, stunned, rose and responded, leaving everything behind. That is how it is with grace. He had no idea that he and his brother together would become core leaders in the nascent Church. He only knew that Jesus accepted and called him.

We do not know how soon later that day he asked Jesus and his followers to a meal, but it was both appropriate hospitality and perhaps the beginning of his call as an evangelist, for he also invites his friends and colleagues, tax collectors and “sinners” (not necessarily men who in our eyes had committed mortal sin but men who did not keep themselves kosher for some reason. and were therefore outcasts, people like Matthew.

Now Pharisees, the separate ones, were observing, certainly not eating, and they questioned Jesus’ association with Matthew’s guests, not directly, but to his disciples. Jesus, overhearing, responds, “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.”

Perhaps we could say, “Those who are well or think themselves well” or “Those who are righteous or think themselves righteous” do not need a physician. Jesus is with the sick who knew they were sick for society told them they were sick and excluded. His disciples are with him, for they are learning how to share the good news and do not fear impurity. Jesus shows mercy to the spiritually sick and socially sick, not demanding a sacrifice for them to be reunited with the people. He simply called them to leave all and follow him.

Matthew learned his lesson well

He knew now what grace was and how the message of the kingdom was good news indeed. He also knew that there were no outcasts in the kingdom or first class citizens, that all were one, that they were part of “the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Tradition has it that he lived this out, writing a gospel in Antioch that shows the gathering of Israel including the uniting to them of the nations, and ending his life evangelizing in Ethiopia, which was cut off from Judaism by race but was connected in tradition through the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon.

He responded to grace, he started his apostolate immediately, and he crossed boundaries and gathered all into one. And so will we if we grasp with our hearts the grace given to Matthew.