REFLECTIONS TODAY

Matthew’s religious experience is the foundation of his vocation to discipleship. In this autobiographical episode, Matthew himself narrates how he meets Jesus, unexpectedly: in his work desk as a tax collector. Jesus calls him, and he follows immediately. But soon after, it is Jesus who follows Matthew in his house, gracing the latter with his presence, eating and feasting with his friends of ill repute. What a scandal Jesus creates with such action! 

Matthew witnesses how Jesus defends his “scandalous action” in the face of his detractors, the scribes and Pharisees. To Jesus, eating with Matthew and other tax collectors and sinners signifies God’s mercy-inaction, something impossible for “the presumed righteous” to understand. 

Pope Francis identifies this story of Matthew as a very influential Gospel episode in the story of his own vocation. In fact, he takes a line from this Gospel as his personal motto: Miserando atque Eligendo (“by having mercy and by choosing him”). 

He reflects on his own vocation, saying that just as Matthew was undeservedly and unexpectedly called by Jesus, so he too, the young Bergoglio, was called to the priesthood. It is God’s mercy at work in his own life, and this is what he wants to share with the world. 

How about you? How can you be a messenger and a witness of God’s mercy in the world?

First Reading • Eph 4:1-7, 11-13 

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.

Gospel • 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.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.