Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
“Follow me.”
These two simple words provoked Matthew the tax collector, a sinner, to follow “I AM,” another two words that mean God! St. Matthew recognized the voice of the Father through Jesus, and, in a way, healed Matthew of his infirmity of being a tax collector and a sinner. As Jesus says in the gospel today, “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.”
Sunday, I quoted from the movie “The Song of Bernadette,” that “A sinner is one who loves evil.” Being healed by hearing the master’s voice, St. Matthew went out and proclaimed the gospel. We are also sinners.
Can you hear the Lord calling you in your heart saying, “Follow me?” I encourage you today to spend some time in prayer with the Lord, asking him how to become a better disciple and how to preach the good news—not just by word but by action.
Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections