Reflection on the Gospel of the Wednesday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time(Feast: St. Matthew Apostle and Evangelist) |
Matthew 9:9-13 |
WHAT did Jesus see in Matthew a tax collector that he invited him to be His disciple. Well it’s not difficult to see that Jesus called not just Matthew but all his network (other tax-collectors). Scripture just mentions that he got up and followed Jesus, yet there were so many tax-collectors and sinners in Matthew’s house for dinner. When did he have the time to invite them? We invite people for dinner when there is something to celebrate, be it an anniversary or promotion, we like to celebrate it with all our near and dear ones. So this is what I imaged must have happened that day, looking so closely at the face of His redeemer, Matthew knew that nothing else will matter after that moment because he has found his Lord and the way of Jesus will be his way, the life of Jesus will be his life and so also will he share in his Masters joy. He was hated and excluded by people because of his profession, but now the gentle yet divine invitation of Jesus had washed him clean, filled his heart with joy and his face shone with the radiance of Christ, instead of guilt and shame. When he was leading Jesus to his house, all his friends and family who saw him could see the transformation in him, a new Matthew. This sight of him walking with dignity and joy with the Master, was an invitation enough for them, curious or otherwise, to be present with Matthew and family in the hope of getting the taste of the joy Matthew had.
Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus, our union with Christ through the sacrament of the Eucharist is as great as the glance Jesus gave in the direction of Matthew. If only a look from Jesus can change Matthews life then what happens when we receive Jesus in a tangible way when our Lord becomes a part of our body. Why is there no one following us when we come home from mass to know and enquire about the joy and radiance in our life? Do our friends and family recognise the joy and peace of Jesus in our life every time we become one with Christ through the holy communion? When we suffer from sickness and get treatment from a good doctor who helps us to get completely healed, we share it with all those who come in our lives with a similar problem. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. If you have experienced Christ, make sure all those around you are not ignorant or deprived of God’s love and mercy. For he came for sinners and those who are spiritually sick.
Lord Jesus help me to believe in your mercy and in faith and accept the fullness of life you offer. May my life be a living testimony to all those who sit at my table at home/society/workplace/school/college etc, that they too may taste and see that the Lord is Good and be healed. Amen.
