The Calling of Matthew – Jul 07 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on Jul 07, 2023, on how the calling of Matthew by Jesus to become his disciple and his response of leaving behind his former life is a metaphor for our own life that leads from spiritual death to life due to God's mercy.

Today, we focus on the Sacred Heart's virtue of mercy, illustrated in today's Gospel. Mercy, or misericordia, empathizes with those in miserable states, particularly sinners. Christ came to save sinners, such as Matthew, a tax collector - the least of society's members - whose calling and subsequent transformation become the testimony of Christ's mercy.

Jesus found Matthew at his customs post in Capernaum, a bustling crossroads, despite having preached and performed miracles there, Matthew was unmoved, possibly believing salvation was out of his reach. Jesus personally invited him to follow Him, and Matthew did, a decision that altered his life forever.

Our translation states Matthew 'got up and followed him.' The Greek verb used can be interpreted as 'rising,' alluding to resurrection from spiritual death. Just as he followed Jesus physically, Matthew also followed him in life, embodying the apostolic mission of perpetuating Christ's work.

Matthew commenced his mission immediately, inviting his fellow societal outcasts to dine with him, Jesus, and his disciples. Jesus was there to celebrate Matthew's conversion and to extend mercy to those in need of spiritual healing, reiterating His mission to heal sinners.

Jesus highlighted the importance of mercy over ritualistic sacrifice, citing the prophet Hosea, and emphasized that He came to call sinners, not the self-righteous. Acknowledging sin is the first step to receiving forgiveness. Jesus' mercy allows change and invites sinners to follow Him, demonstrating infinite mercy and calling us to practice the same.

Biblical references:

Matthew 9:9 - Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post and asked him to follow Him - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?9

Luke 5:28 - He left everything and followed Him - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5?28

Luke 15:24 - This son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and has been found - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15?24

Matthew 9:11-13 - Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?11-13

Hosea 6:6 - For it is loyalty that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hosea/6?6

Mark 2:17 - Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2?17

00:00 – Introduction
00:16 – Christ's Mission: Mercy, Salvation and the Call of Matthew
01:07 – The Transformation of Matthew: From Tax Collector to Apostle
02:12 – Rising from Spiritual Death and Embracing the Apostolic Mission
03:37 – The Encounter at Matthew's House: A Feast of Conversion
04:27 – The Meaning of True Mercy and Repentance
05:37 – Infinite Mercy of Jesus and the Call for Mercy in our Hearts

Ave Maria!

Mass: Friday 13th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/070723.cfm
1st: gen 23:1-4, 19, 24:1-8, 62-67
Resp: psa 106:1-5
Gsp: mat 9:9-13

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1436

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