Reflection for Monday September 21 Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist: Matthew 9:9-13

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.”

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Reflection:

Do we feel that Jesus is calling us to live a new life—a life free from sin?

Aside from Matthew, whom Jesus called to follow Him, we, too, are being called by the Lord. We may sometimes feel that we are not worthy to follow Jesus, but who among us is truly worthy? No one, for we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and grace.

Matthew was called by Jesus precisely because he was a sinner. This reveals something beautiful about the heart and mission of Jesus: He does not wait for us to become perfect before He calls us. He calls us in the midst of our brokenness, weaknesses, and sins. He calls us to leave behind our old ways and begin anew with Him.

But why is it that even when we know that Jesus is calling us to repentance, we still continue to sin? Why do we sometimes find it so difficult to leave behind the things that separate us from Him? We know that Jesus offers us a new life, yet we can still choose to remain attached to our old ways.

This is something worth reflecting upon. Why do many of us ignore Jesus’ call to follow Him and to leave behind whatever leads us into sin? Have we become so attached to the things of this world that we sometimes love them more than we love Jesus? Are there sinful habits, desires, or attachments that we continue to hold on to even though Jesus is patiently calling us to renewal and repentance?

Perhaps Matthew was able to follow Jesus because someone had first allowed the love and unfathomable mercy of Jesus to touch his heart. Perhaps someone had lived out their faith so sincerely that Matthew could see and experience Jesus through that person's life. Because of this witness, it became possible for Matthew to recognize Jesus’ call and respond to it.

This reminds us that our lives can also become instruments of God’s grace. There may be many “Matthews” around us—people who are searching, wounded, struggling, or trapped in sinful ways. Some may not yet have experienced the love, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus. Perhaps God is asking us to become the person who will help them encounter Him.

Our challenge, therefore, is not only to speak about Jesus but also to live Jesus. We can share our faith through our words, but we can also proclaim the Gospel through our kindness, compassion, forgiveness, humility, patience, and love. Sometimes, the most powerful sermon we can give is the life we live before others.

Let us not forget that we, too, are like Matthew. We, too, are sinners whom Jesus continues to call. We, too, need His mercy. And every day, Jesus invites us to leave behind what keeps us from Him and to begin again.

May we have the humility to hear His call, the courage to let go of our sinful ways, and the love to become His witnesses to others.

Are we ready to leave behind whatever keeps us from Jesus—and are we willing to let our lives become a living testimony through which another “Matthew” may encounter His mercy, hear His call, and discover the joy of following Him?—Marino J. Dasmarinas