Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
Lectionary: 643
Lectionary: 643
Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve 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.
But grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the Body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve 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.
But grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the Body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 19:2-3, 4-5
R.(5) Their
message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R.Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R.Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R.Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R.Their message goes out through all the earth.
Alleluia
See Te Deum
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 9:9-13
As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and 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."
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and 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."
Meditation:
"I desire mercy - not sacrifice"
What
is God's call on your life? Jesus chose Matthew to be his follower and friend,
not because Matthew was religious or learned, popular or saintly. Matthew
appeared to be none of those. He chose to live a life of wealth and ease. His
profession was probably the most corrupted and despised by everyone because tax
collectors made themselves wealthy by over-charging and threatening people if
they did not hand over their money to them.
God
searches our heart
What did Jesus see in Matthew that others did not see? When the prophet Samuel came to the house of Jesse to anoint the future heir to the throne of Israel, he bypassed all the first seven sons and chose the last! "God looks at the heart and not at the appearance of a man" he declared (1 Samuel 16:7-13). David's heart was like a compass looking for true north - it pointed to God. Matthew's heart must have yearned for God, even though he dare not show his face in a synagogue - the Jewish house of prayer and the study of Torah - God's law. When Jesus saw Matthew sitting at his tax office - no doubt counting his day's profit - Jesus spoke only two words - "follow me". Those two words changed Matthew from a self-serving profiteer to a God-serving apostle who would bring the treasures of God's kingdom to the poor and needy.
What did Jesus see in Matthew that others did not see? When the prophet Samuel came to the house of Jesse to anoint the future heir to the throne of Israel, he bypassed all the first seven sons and chose the last! "God looks at the heart and not at the appearance of a man" he declared (1 Samuel 16:7-13). David's heart was like a compass looking for true north - it pointed to God. Matthew's heart must have yearned for God, even though he dare not show his face in a synagogue - the Jewish house of prayer and the study of Torah - God's law. When Jesus saw Matthew sitting at his tax office - no doubt counting his day's profit - Jesus spoke only two words - "follow me". Those two words changed Matthew from a self-serving profiteer to a God-serving apostle who would bring the treasures of God's kingdom to the poor and needy.
John
Chrysostom, the great 5th century church father, describes Matthew's calling:
"Why
did Jesus not call Matthew at the same time as he called Peter and John and the
rest? He came to each one at a particular time when he knew that they would
respond to him. He came at a different time to call Matthew when he was assured
that Matthew would surrender to his call. Similarly, he called Paul at a
different time when he was vulnerable, after the resurrection, something like a
hunter going after his quarry. For he who is acquainted with our inmost hearts
and knows the secrets of our minds knows when each one of us is ready to
respond fully. Therefore he did not call them all together at the beginning,
when Matthew was still in a hardened condition. Rather, only after countless
miracles, after his fame spread abroad, did he call Matthew. He knew Matthew
had been softened for full responsiveness."
Jesus-
the divine physician
When the Pharisees challenged Jesus' unorthodox behavior in eating with public sinners, Jesus' defense was quite simple. A doctor doesn't need to visit healthy people; instead he goes to those who are sick. Jesus likewise sought out those in the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. Jesus came as the divine physician and good shepherd to care for his people and to restore them to wholeness of life. The orthodox were so preoccupied with their own practice of religion that they neglected to help the very people who needed spiritual care. Their religion was selfish because they didn't want to have anything to do with people not like themselves. Jesus stated his mission in unequivocal terms: I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners. Ironically the orthodox were as needy as those they despised. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
When the Pharisees challenged Jesus' unorthodox behavior in eating with public sinners, Jesus' defense was quite simple. A doctor doesn't need to visit healthy people; instead he goes to those who are sick. Jesus likewise sought out those in the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. Jesus came as the divine physician and good shepherd to care for his people and to restore them to wholeness of life. The orthodox were so preoccupied with their own practice of religion that they neglected to help the very people who needed spiritual care. Their religion was selfish because they didn't want to have anything to do with people not like themselves. Jesus stated his mission in unequivocal terms: I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners. Ironically the orthodox were as needy as those they despised. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
On
more than one occasion Jesus quoted the saying from the prophet Hosea: For
I desire mercy and not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). Do you thank the Lord
Jesus for the great mercy he has shown to you? And do you show mercy to your
neighbor as well?
"Lord
Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them
with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious
blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts
are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are
yours; possess them always and only for yourself.” (Prayer of Augustine,
354-430)
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Matthew did not delay when called by
Jesus, by Chromatius (died 406 AD)
"The
Lord, about to give salvation to all sinners believing in him, willingly chose
Matthew the former publican. The gift of his esteem for Matthew stands as an
example for our salvation. Every sinner must be chosen by God and can receive
the grace of eternal salvation if one is not without a religious mind and a
devout heart. So Matthew was chosen willingly by God. And though he is immersed
in worldly affairs, because of his sincere religious devotion he is judged worthy
to be called forth by the Lord ("Follow me"), who by virtue of his
divine nature knows the hidden recesses of the heart. From what follows, we
know that Matthew was accepted by the Lord not by reason of his status but of
his faith and devotion. As soon as the Lord says to him, "Follow me,"
he does not linger or delay, but thereupon “he arose and followed
him." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 45.1)
[Note:
Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was
a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described
him as a "most learned and most holy man."]
FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, MATTHEW 9:9-13
(Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13; Psalm 19)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, MATTHEW 9:9-13
(Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13; Psalm 19)
KEY VERSE: "He said to him, 'Follow me' (v. 13).
TO KNOW: Matthew, one of the Twelve apostles, is called Levi (perhaps a tribal designation) in Mark and Luke's gospel (Mk 2:14, Lk 5:27). Matthew was a collector of taxes, a "publican," so-called because he dealt with public funds. A tax collector purchased the right to collect taxes in a certain area, and was allowed to keep a commission on anything he collected over and above the agreed sum. Pious Jews looked upon tax collectors as sinners because they collaborated with the occupying Roman forces. Moreover, they were suspected of extorting money from their own people. Though aware of Matthew's reputation, Jesus invited him to be a disciple. In turn, Matthew invited Jesus to dine with him and some friends who were also social outcasts. The Pharisees were shocked at Jesus' apparent disregard for the law. They ask Jesus’ disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" The answer is that Jesus loves sinners, and he doesn’t require perfection before he calls them.
TO LOVE Do I respond eagerly to Jesus' call to reform my life?
TO SERVE: St. Matthew, help me to answer Jesus' invitation as you did.
FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST
Matthew, son of Alphaeus, lived at Capenaum on Lake Genesareth (Sea of Galilee). Matthew was a tax-collector and must have been hated by the Jews for having entered the civil service of their Roman conquerors. As Matthew sat at his customs post, Jesus called him, and he rose up and followed him, leaving everything behind him except one thing — his pen. Matthew used his literary skills to compile an account of the teachings of Jesus Christ. He wrote especially for members of the Jewish people to show them that the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Jesus. Matthew's Gospel is given pride of place in the canon of the New Testament.
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
The United Nations General Assembly decided that, beginning in 2002, the International Day of Peace should be observed on 21 September each year. The Assembly declared that the day be observed as an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities during the day. All Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organizations and individuals were invited to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner, including education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in establishing a global ceasefire.
Saturday 21 September 2019
St Matthew
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13. Psalm 18(19):2-5. Matthew 9:9-13.
Their message goes out through all the earth – Psalm 18(19):2-5
‘And he got up and followed him’
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13. Psalm 18(19):2-5. Matthew 9:9-13.
Their message goes out through all the earth – Psalm 18(19):2-5
‘And he got up and followed him’
One cannot help liking St Matthew. He answers Jesus’ call so
promptly and so wholeheartedly. He invites Jesus to celebrate his conversion
with a party, to which he invites his shady, tax-collector friends: all of
them, like Matthew, despised as the hirelings of an occupying power.
Jesus makes the gathering an occasion to remind us that we
are not in a position to condemn anyone, for we too are sinners. We too
sometimes fail in our attentiveness to God, and this realisation encourages us
to a certain humility.
In his gospel, Matthew reminds us that we also are called
to bring God’s love to others. St Paul puts it this way: ‘Bear with one another
charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience.’ Lord Jesus, give
me that grace that you gave Matthew, that of responding promptly to your call,
and to embodying your spirit of love and service.
Saint Matthew
Saint of the Day for September 21
(c. 1st Century)
 |
| St. Matthew and the Angel | Guido Reni |
Saint Matthew’s Story
Matthew was a Jew who worked for the occupying Roman forces,
collecting taxes from other Jews. The Romans were not scrupulous about what the
“tax farmers” got for themselves. Hence the latter, known as “publicans,” were
generally hated as traitors by their fellow Jews. The Pharisees lumped them
with “sinners” (see Matthew 9:11-13). So it was shocking to them to hear Jesus
call such a man to be one of his intimate followers.
Matthew got Jesus in further trouble by having a sort of
going-away party at his house. The Gospel tells us that many tax collectors and
“those known as sinners” came to the dinner. The Pharisees were still more
badly shocked. What business did the supposedly great teacher have associating
with such immoral people? Jesus’ answer was, “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 9:12b-13). Jesus is not setting aside ritual and worship; he is saying
that loving others is even more important.
No other particular incidents about Matthew are found in the New
Testament.
Reflection
From such an unlikely situation, Jesus chose one of the
foundations of the Church, a man others, judging from his job, thought was not
holy enough for the position. But Matthew was honest enough to admit that he
was one of the sinners Jesus came to call. He was open enough to recognize
truth when he saw him. “And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9b).
Saint Matthew is the Patron Saint of:
Accountants
Actors
Bankers
Bookkeepers
Tax collectors
Taxi Drivers
Actors
Bankers
Bookkeepers
Tax collectors
Taxi Drivers
Lectio: St. Matthew, the Evangelist - Mt 9:9-13
Lectio Divina
Saturday, September 21, 2019
St. Matthew, the Evangelist
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
You call Your children
to walk in the light of Christ.
Free us from darkness
and keep us in the radiance of Your truth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
You call Your children
to walk in the light of Christ.
Free us from darkness
and keep us in the radiance of Your truth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the
customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed
him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his
disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and
sinners?" He heard this and 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."
3) Reflection
• The Sermon on the Mountain takes chapters 5, 6 and 7 of the
Gospel of Matthew. The purpose of the narrative part of chapters 8
and 9 is to show how Jesus put into practice what He had just taught. In
the Sermon on the Mountain, He teaches acceptance (Mt 5:23-25. 38-42.43).
Now He puts it into practice accepting the lepers (Mt 8:1-4), the foreigners
(Mt 8:5-13), the women (Mt 8:14-15), the sick (Mt 8:16-17), the possessed (Mt
8:28-34), the paralytics (Mt 9:1-8), the tax collectors (Mt 9:9-13), the unclean
persons (Mt 9:20-22), etc. Jesus breaks the norms and the customs which
excluded and divided persons, that is with the fear and the lack of faith (Mt
8:23-27) the laws on purity (9:14-17), and He clearly says which are the
requirements for those who want to follow Him. They should have the courage to
abandon many things (Mt 8:18-22). In the same way in the attitudes and in
the practice of Jesus we see in what the Kingdom and the perfect observance of
the Law of God consists.
• Matthew 9:9: The call to follow Jesus. The first people called to follow Jesus are four fishermen, all Jewish (Mt 4:18-22). Now Jesus calls a tax collector, considered a sinner and treated as an unclean person by the community of the most observant of the Pharisees. In the other Gospels, this tax collector is called Levi. Here, his name is Matthew, which means gift of God or given by God. The communities, instead of excluding the tax collector and of considering him unclean, should consider him a Gift of God for the community, because his presence makes the community become a sign of salvation for all! Like the first four who were called, in the same way also Matthew, the tax collector, leaves everything that he has and follows Jesus. The following of Jesus requires breaking away from many things. Matthew leaves the tax office, his source of revenue and follows Jesus!
• Matthew 9:10: Jesus sits at table with sinners and tax collectors. At that time the Jews lived separated from the tax collectors and sinners and they did not eat with them at the same table. The Christian Jews should break away from this isolation and sit at table with the tax collectors and with the unclean, according to the teaching given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mountain, the expression of the universal love of God the Father (Mt 5:44-48). The mission of the communities was that of offering a place to those who did not have it. But this new law was not accepted by all. In some communities, persons coming from paganism, even if they were Christians, were not accepted around the same table (cf. Ac 10:28; 11:3; Ga 2:12). The text of today’s Gospel shows us Jesus who sits at table with tax collectors and sinners in the same house, around the same table.
• Matthew 9:11: The question of the Pharisees. Jews were forbidden to sit at table with the tax collectors and with sinners, but Jesus does not follow this prohibition. Rather He becomes a friend to them. The Pharisees seeing the attitude of Jesus, ask the disciples: “Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?” This question may be interpreted as an expression of their desire to know why Jesus acts in that way. Others interpret the question like a criticism of Jesus’ behavior, because for over five hundred years, from the time of the slavery in Babylon until the time of Jesus, the Jews had observed the laws of purity. This secular observance became a strong sign of identity. At the same time it was a factor of their separation in the midst of other peoples. Thus, because of the laws on purity, they could not nor did they succeed to sit around the same table to eat with tax collectors. To eat with tax collectors meant to get contaminated, to become unclean. The precepts of legal purity were rigorously observed, in Palestine as well as in the Jewish communities of the Diaspora. At the time of Jesus, there were more than five hundred precepts to keep purity. In the years 70’s, at the time when Matthew wrote, this conflict was very actual.
• Matthew 9:12-13: “Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice. Jesus hears the question of the Pharisees to the disciples and He answers with two clarifications: the first one is taken from common sense: “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick”. The second one is taken from the Bible: “Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases Me, not sacrifice”. Through these clarifications, Jesus makes explicit and clarifies His mission among the people: “I have not come to call the upright but sinners”. Jesus denies the criticism of the Pharisees; He does not accept their arguments, because they came from a false idea of the Law of God. He Himself invokes the Bible: “Mercy is what pleases Me, not sacrifice”. For Jesus, mercy is more important than legal purity. He refers to the prophetic tradition to say that mercy has greater value for God than all sacrifices (Ho 6:6; Is 1:10-17). God has profound mercy, and is moved before the failures of His people (Ho 11:8-9).
• Matthew 9:9: The call to follow Jesus. The first people called to follow Jesus are four fishermen, all Jewish (Mt 4:18-22). Now Jesus calls a tax collector, considered a sinner and treated as an unclean person by the community of the most observant of the Pharisees. In the other Gospels, this tax collector is called Levi. Here, his name is Matthew, which means gift of God or given by God. The communities, instead of excluding the tax collector and of considering him unclean, should consider him a Gift of God for the community, because his presence makes the community become a sign of salvation for all! Like the first four who were called, in the same way also Matthew, the tax collector, leaves everything that he has and follows Jesus. The following of Jesus requires breaking away from many things. Matthew leaves the tax office, his source of revenue and follows Jesus!
• Matthew 9:10: Jesus sits at table with sinners and tax collectors. At that time the Jews lived separated from the tax collectors and sinners and they did not eat with them at the same table. The Christian Jews should break away from this isolation and sit at table with the tax collectors and with the unclean, according to the teaching given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mountain, the expression of the universal love of God the Father (Mt 5:44-48). The mission of the communities was that of offering a place to those who did not have it. But this new law was not accepted by all. In some communities, persons coming from paganism, even if they were Christians, were not accepted around the same table (cf. Ac 10:28; 11:3; Ga 2:12). The text of today’s Gospel shows us Jesus who sits at table with tax collectors and sinners in the same house, around the same table.
• Matthew 9:11: The question of the Pharisees. Jews were forbidden to sit at table with the tax collectors and with sinners, but Jesus does not follow this prohibition. Rather He becomes a friend to them. The Pharisees seeing the attitude of Jesus, ask the disciples: “Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?” This question may be interpreted as an expression of their desire to know why Jesus acts in that way. Others interpret the question like a criticism of Jesus’ behavior, because for over five hundred years, from the time of the slavery in Babylon until the time of Jesus, the Jews had observed the laws of purity. This secular observance became a strong sign of identity. At the same time it was a factor of their separation in the midst of other peoples. Thus, because of the laws on purity, they could not nor did they succeed to sit around the same table to eat with tax collectors. To eat with tax collectors meant to get contaminated, to become unclean. The precepts of legal purity were rigorously observed, in Palestine as well as in the Jewish communities of the Diaspora. At the time of Jesus, there were more than five hundred precepts to keep purity. In the years 70’s, at the time when Matthew wrote, this conflict was very actual.
• Matthew 9:12-13: “Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice. Jesus hears the question of the Pharisees to the disciples and He answers with two clarifications: the first one is taken from common sense: “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick”. The second one is taken from the Bible: “Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases Me, not sacrifice”. Through these clarifications, Jesus makes explicit and clarifies His mission among the people: “I have not come to call the upright but sinners”. Jesus denies the criticism of the Pharisees; He does not accept their arguments, because they came from a false idea of the Law of God. He Himself invokes the Bible: “Mercy is what pleases Me, not sacrifice”. For Jesus, mercy is more important than legal purity. He refers to the prophetic tradition to say that mercy has greater value for God than all sacrifices (Ho 6:6; Is 1:10-17). God has profound mercy, and is moved before the failures of His people (Ho 11:8-9).
4) Personal questions
• Today, in our society, who is marginalized and excluded?
Why? In our community, do we have preconceptions or prejudices? Which? Which is
the challenge which the words of Jesus present to our community?
• Jesus asks the people to read and to understand the Old Testament which says: “Mercy is what pleases Me and not sacrifice”. What does Jesus want to tell us with this today?
• Jesus asks the people to read and to understand the Old Testament which says: “Mercy is what pleases Me and not sacrifice”. What does Jesus want to tell us with this today?
5) Concluding Prayer
Blessed are those who observe His instructions,
Blessed are those who observe His instructions,
who seek Him with all their hearts,
and, doing no evil, who walk in His ways. (Ps 119:2-3)
Blessed are those who observe His instructions,
who seek Him with all their hearts,
and, doing no evil, who walk in His ways. (Ps 119:2-3)
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