GOSPEL THOUGHTS
25th Week
– Monday
Gospel – Matthew 9: 9-13
First Reading - Eph 4:1–7, 11–13
Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
1) Matthew at the Tax Booth
Since Matthew was a tax collector, he was busy in work, collecting the taxes
When Jesus called Matthew, he was at the tax booth. He had already started the work of the day and he was busy.
When Jesus saw him, He said only one thing *Follow me* and Matthew got up and followed him
2) What happened to the Tax Money
We have no idea what happened to the tax money of that day.
It is very clear that Matthew did not take the money when he followed Jesus.
The Gospel says *He got up and followed Him*. He didn't take anything from the tax booth while following Jesus
It was also possible that Matthew had a team for collecting the tax and when he followed Jesus, he might have left everything to them to manage.
3) Who followed Matthew?
It is very clear that when Matthew followed Jesus, the money which he collected from taxes, his riches and property didn't follow Matthew.
He had to leave all those things when he decided to follow Jesus .
So it is very clear that, money, wealth, and property didn't follow Matthew, when he followed Jesus
4) Tax collectors and Sinners followed Matthew
When Matthew got up and followed Jesus, a group of tax collectors and sinners followed Matthew.
All of them along with Jesus came to Matthews house for a dinner
This shows, finally what follows and remains in our life.
Only their close relationship, genuine love, and a feeling of belongingness made them to follow Matthew to his house.
Ultimately these things have more value than money, wealth and riches.
5) What things a Follower of a Jesus can expect?
From the call of Matthew it is very clear, the followers of Jesus can't expect Material things to follow them
Neither they can cling to the material things. As Matthew left everything at the Tax booth, the followers of Jesus need to leave everything when they decide to follow Jesus
What follows them is a genuine relationship, close companionship, lovely care and concern and the important values.
6) There is no time to think about leaving the things
When Jesus told Matthew "Follow me* he simply left everything and followed Jesus
There wasn't any time to think about his possessions and its settlement. Neither Matthew asked time for settling these things. He simply left and followed Jesu
So it is very clear that a follower of Jesus need not think about settling his possessions, because they are not necessary for Him.
Once you follow Jesus, He will take care of it. So need not waste time in settling the things or to clinging to it for any reason.
7) Matthew’s followers finally met Jesus
As Matthew followed Jesus, many of his friends who were tax collectors and sinners followed Matthew to his house
These followers of Matthew finally met Jesus, got the chance to sit with Him and to dine with Him
While eating with them Jesus must have enlightened many of these tax collectors and sinners, who finally must have followed Jesus very closely.
So Matthew example of following Jesus must have inspection many of these tax collectors and sinners to change their life and to follow Jesus.
So finally Matthews gesture of following of Jesus had lot of impact in his friends circle, which shows what/who finally followed Matthew.
8) What is my style of following Jesus?
Matthew followed Jesus leaving everything
He didn't even think of his wealth and money. Left everything and followed Jesus. This is Matthews style
Many tax collectors and sinners saw Matthew and they followed him. Finally they met Jesus. This is another style
There Pharisees who found fault with Jesus and tax collectors. This is another style.
Those who are sick they need a physician. Only in sickness remember the physician. This is another style
*What is my style?*
*What finally makes me to follow Jesus?*
God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.
Fr Maxim D’Souza
Jeppu Seminary
Mangalore
No comments:
Post a Comment