Feast of St. Matthew - Afternoon Thoughts...

​Afternoon Thoughts: I am sorry but having spent the last two days in meetings as I paused for prayer early this morning I didn’t realize that it was the feast of St. Matthew and I reflected on the wrong readings. Meetings can real fry my brain. So, this afternoon as I wait for the furnace person to arrive I offer you a few thoughts on today’s feast…
 
The call of Matthew, the tax collector, come to us in single verse. “As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew got up and followed Jesus.” (Matthew 9:9) The simplicity of this call perhaps raises a number of questions and even gives pause to some speculation. Was this the first time to the two men had met? Had Matthew heard Jesus speak before? Was this the culmination of a number of events that finally cause Matthew to make a choice. When Matthew walked away from his post, what did everyone think? How did the other disciples receive Matthew into the group?
 
I have often marvel that this scene of Matthew walking away from his familiar way of life so readily and completely. I am not sure I could have done it. Yet, in many ways some thirty-eight years ago I did the same thing. Perhaps not as dramatically, just the same I left one life behind to follow Jesus in a new way. Let us remember: Matthew was not merely walking away from something, he was walking toward someone – Jesus!
 
Many called Matthew a traitor, a sinner, an outcast, an undesirable but Jesus called him a friend, a disciple someone worth knowing. Some worth investing time energy and mercy in. Perhaps today we need to ask Jesus to help us to see the good in others so that our odder each day is not just sacrifice but more so mercy!
 
Have a peaceful afternoon and evening everyone!