St. Matthew was a tax collector. To a Jew, this was one of the most despicable jobs possible (see Mt 18:17). Tax collectors usually perpetrated violence and injustice against the poor. Worse than that, however, they sold out to the enemy, the Romans. Moreover, their association with the Romans made them unclean. Thus, tax collectors gave up their participation in the Jewish community and its worship.
Because of all this, a good Jew would not greet or associate with a tax collector. To eat with a tax collector and call him to become a disciple would be almost blasphemous to a good Jew. Therefore, Jesus' calling of Matthew to become a disciple was either an astounding revelation of God's grace or nothing less than an abomination before God.
Matthew's calling and conversion is a radical statement that:
Rejoice, for today is the feast of St. Matthew, a day of mercy and hope.
| PRAYER: | Father, fill me with hope because of St. Matthew's conversion. |
| PROMISE: | "I plead with you, then, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." –Eph 4:1 |
| PRAISE: | St. Matthew left the false security of the world's kingdom for the true security of God's kingdom. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College