What did Jesus See in Mathew?

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week - Friday*

*What did Jesus See in Mathew?*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 9:9-13*

*FIRST READING - Am 8:4-6, 9-12*

*1) Seeing of Jesus*

The Gospel of the day presents to us the call of Matthew. 

The calls begins with a specific gesture of Jesus. The gesture is *Seeing of Matthew by Jesus*

The Gospel tells us that *As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.*

*2) The Speciality of Jesus' Seeing*

This simple sentance says that Jesus saw Matthew. This meaning could be understood at the peripheral level 

The question is what Jesus really saw in Matthew. Is it only the outward physical presence of Matthew or something more than this? 

This perticular question can be analysed in a different level and we can see the different things which Jesus saw in Mathew 

*3) Various Things which Jesus Saw in Matthew*

*A) Jesus saw a sense of Commitment*

While seeing Matthew Jesus also saw a sense of commitment, to follow Him and to become a genuine disciple

*B) A Great Writer*

This is the another aspect which Jesus saw in Matthew. 

Later Matthew became a great Writer, who wrote one of the Gospels, which is named after his own name *Gospel according St Matthew*

*C) A Sense of Detachment*

Jesus in His divine gaze also saw the willingness of Matthew to detach himself from his work, that is collecting the taxes 

Since taxes involved lot of Money it was not easy to leave the whole thing and to follow Jesus. 

*D) Readiness of Matthew to Follow Jesus*

Jesus also saw Matthew's readiness to follow Him immediately with out delay 

As we see in the Gospel, Matthew immediately left everything and followed Jesus 

*E) Generosity of Matthew*

After he followed Jesus, Jesus went to Matthew's house 

In the House we see a grand reception with a meal, where many tax collectors had gathered

Matthew welcomed all of them and he was generous to give them something 

*4) Jesus Sees the entire personality*

The seeing of Jesus or the divine gaze of Jesus is not like our gaze. 

It's a gaze which is able to all the aspects of our personality and able to attract the person towards Him 

The divine gaze of Jesus, really inspired Matthew to follow Him

*5) How do I react to Jesus' Gaze?*

The same Jesus who looked at Matthew looks at me with the same divine gaze. 

What is my reaction towards that divine gaze? 

Do I respond like Matthew, where he left everything and followed Jesus? 

Matthew understood the gravity of the call and the need of following Jesus from Jesus' divine gaze

What about me? 

*6) How is my gaze?*

Is it a loving one? 

Is it a inspiring one? 

Is it a scary one? 

Is it a sarcastic one? 

Is it a deceiving one? 

Is it a graceful one? 

Is it a welcoming one? 

Is it a lustful one? 

Is it a dominating one? 

Is it a peaceful one?

Is it a desperate one? 

Is it a attractive one??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*