Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Matthew, one of the Twelve and an Evangelist.
It is well known that he was a tax-collector before he became Jesus' disciple. He was despised and hated by his fellow Jews because he collected tax for the Romans. Tax-collectors were, without exception, not honest and though the lucrative job made them rich, they were regarded as public sinners. When Jesus called Matthew, he generously gave up everything and followed the Lord. Of course, we cannot rule out other motives. But these motives were scholarly speculations. It is impossible to verify or falsify them. Therefore, it cannot be scientifically studied.
The first thing he did after Matthew became Jesus' disciple was to invite his friends, mostly tax-collectors, prostitutes and other public sinners, to join him and Jesus at the table (Matthew 9:10). Of course, this gave the Pharisees another excuse to attack Jesus because he mixed with sinners. Such behaviour went against the teaching of the very first Psalm.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers (Psalm 1:1).
It is well known that he was a tax-collector before he became Jesus' disciple. He was despised and hated by his fellow Jews because he collected tax for the Romans. Tax-collectors were, without exception, not honest and though the lucrative job made them rich, they were regarded as public sinners. When Jesus called Matthew, he generously gave up everything and followed the Lord. Of course, we cannot rule out other motives. But these motives were scholarly speculations. It is impossible to verify or falsify them. Therefore, it cannot be scientifically studied.
The first thing he did after Matthew became Jesus' disciple was to invite his friends, mostly tax-collectors, prostitutes and other public sinners, to join him and Jesus at the table (Matthew 9:10). Of course, this gave the Pharisees another excuse to attack Jesus because he mixed with sinners. Such behaviour went against the teaching of the very first Psalm.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers (Psalm 1:1).
Though the first book of the New Testament is ascribed to Matthew or his authority, most scholar believe that Mark wrote the first gospel. Based on the gospel of Mark, Matthew expanded his gospel to meet the needs of his community. Take the story of the call of Levi (Matthew) as an example, the Jesus in Markanswered the charges of the Pharisees in the following manner.
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)
However, the Jesus in Matthew quoted the prophet Hosea as well.
But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13)
Here, Matthew added an interpretation of Mark's story to clarify its meaning. Matthew challenged the Pharisees for an interpretation of Hosea 6:6. He explained that God shows His mercy by calling sinners to join Him to share His eternal life. Luke also interpreted this story in his way.
And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick;
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32)
Luke did not quote prophet Hosea. He wrote explicitly "to repentance".
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)
However, the Jesus in Matthew quoted the prophet Hosea as well.
But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13)
Here, Matthew added an interpretation of Mark's story to clarify its meaning. Matthew challenged the Pharisees for an interpretation of Hosea 6:6. He explained that God shows His mercy by calling sinners to join Him to share His eternal life. Luke also interpreted this story in his way.
And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick;
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32)
Luke did not quote prophet Hosea. He wrote explicitly "to repentance".
God calls us to repentance. For most of us, this is the first step towards salvation. Matthew has set up a good example. Our salvation is not confined to our being saved. It also involves spreading the good news to our friends and other people. After finding the Saviour, Matthew invited his friends to come along to celebrate with him. Perhaps his friends might join him as well. Later, Matthew wrote a gospel so that more people would be able to know the good news. St. Paul has drawn a road map to show what a mature Christian should be in the Epistle to the Ephesians.
And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13)
The Holy Spirit gives us different charismas to build up the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. In this Church, we will be able to attain unity of faith, of the knowledge of God until we reach the stature of the fulness of Christ. We will be strong and tall like him.
And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13)
The Holy Spirit gives us different charismas to build up the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. In this Church, we will be able to attain unity of faith, of the knowledge of God until we reach the stature of the fulness of Christ. We will be strong and tall like him.
Dear Lord, You chose the Twelve to train them to lead the Church when You left the earth. Bless the Church so that she may become a medium of unity for all mankind. May we give up greed and choose You like what Matthew has done. St. Matthew, pray for us! Amen.
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