MATTHEW THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST
EPHESIANS 4:1-7; PSALM 19; MATTHEW 9:9-13
The name Matthew means “gift of God”. Matthew was actually a gift to the church. His call provoked an immediate response and conversion that produced an abundant harvest. Our vocation is a gift that should provoke similar results.
Eph. 4:1–7 speaks of the different gifts that have been given to the baptized by God. These gifts are for the building up of God’s kingdom. Use your gift to help, not to hurt; build, not to destroy.
In the Gospel, Jesus says to Matthew “Follow me” the same way he said to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me” and to James and John “Follow me”. To follow him is a call to discipleship—a divine office that requires sincerity and ardent commitment. If we follow him, then we shall not wallow.
Lastly, as usual, the Scribes and Pharisees murmured against Jesus because of his association with a sinner. Jesus ceased this opportunity to teach them. I am a physician, and Matthew is sick. Every sinner is sick and needs healing; Jesus is the Physician who heals and saves. Little wonder, the Greek philosopher Epictetus says, the teaching of Jesus is the medicine of salvation. Let us come to him and be saved.
Let us pray.
O God, who with untold mercy was pleased to choose as an apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. Through Christ, our Lord Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
