SERMON/REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF ST MATTHEW (APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST)

Homily for the Feast of St. Matthew (Apostle and Evangelist). 

Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13.  Matthew 9:9-13.

Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast of St. Matthew, an apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ and also an evangelist.

St. Matthew also known as Levi was called to discipleship by the Lord as he was sitting at his tax office (Matt.9:9) as we have it in today's Gospel. The tax collectors of the time of Jesus are considered 'enemies of state', 'legal robbers', 'covenant breakers', 'racketeers', etc. It is to this breed that Matthew belongs.

No wonder the Pharisees on seeing this, said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (Matt.9:). But Jesus saw in him an Apostle and Evangelist who will later preach the faith in the East and was martyred on account of the Gospel.

Though he collects taxes, defrauding almost everyone, but as Jesus called, he listened to Jesus, left everything and followed Him. What are we giving up for Jesus?

The call of Matthew is a clear indication that God never give up on anyone. Men may write you off and feel you are up to no good. Yet, with God, the case is always different. His grace is always sufficient for sinners. So, why are you giving up on yourself when God still has a lot to do with you? No matter what your past has been, you can always begin anew. Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

Are you willing to dispose yourself like Matthew to be used by God? Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matt.9:13).

Through the intercession of St. Matthew, may God grant us the grace of final perseverance through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Fr Remi Osj