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Friday, September 21, 2018
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
THE CALLING OF MATTHEW ++++++++++++++++++++
Ø The Gospel for today speaks of Matthew’s call from what was then a dishonorable job.
Ø Matthew was a Jew, collecting taxes for the Romans from his fellow Jews and probably adding substantial surcharges to the real tax for his own profit
Ø He was viewed as a sinner, a sinful person, taking advantage of his own people
Ø And yet, Jesus calls him to be an Apostle.
Ø Jesus says, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners”
WE’RE ALL SINNERS MADE RIGHTEOUS +++++++++++
Ø Jesus’point is that it is necessary for us to recognize that none of us is righteous and all of us are sinners
Ø From a theological perspective, we say that we have been made righteous by Jesus
Ø What this means is that we have been placed into a right or good relationship with God by Jesus
Ø It does not mean that we are free of sin and shortcomings
Ø In fact, being righteous, in the sense we are using it, is a gift from God
Ø It is a gift given on only one condition that we recognize that we are not righteous, that we are sinful and that we need God’s grace
THE BEGINNING OF MASS ++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø This is why we always begin Mass with a recognition of our sins and failings and our need for forgiveness
Ø This Penitential Act is not just a remnant of a past age when people were too guilt ridden
Ø And it is not intended to begin Mass on a downer
Ø It offers us a touch of realism, as we approach God and receive the Jesus in the Eucharist.
Ø It’s intended 2 lead us 2 a bit more self- knowledge & 2 remind us to look within
Ø It is intended to help us admit our own humanity and need for growth, especially when we might be tempted to call others sinners, as Matthew’s fellow Jews were calling him today
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