Jesus calls Matthew, whom no one wanted

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 24th Week :  Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 9:9–13*

*First Reading : Eph 4:1–7, 11–13*

*Jesus calls Matthew, whom no one wanted*

*1) Matthew the Tax Collector*

Matthew is very well known as Tax Collector

Since He was by profession, a tax collector he was known as tax collector

The position of the tax collectors during time of Jesus was not very good 

Tax-collectors were despised by their fellow Jews. 

They were an ever-present symbol of foreign oppression.

They used cruel methods to become wealthy at the expense of their countrymen, and they worked in close association with Gentiles. 

For these reasons, tax-collectors were treated as the lowest class of sinners.

*2) Jesus calls Such a unaccepted man*

By analysing the above things, Matthew was a person who was unaccepted and unwanted person in the Jewish circle. 

Since Jesus was a Jew, Jewish people could never imagine that Matthew is being called by Jesus and Matthew becoming the disciple of Jesus

But the reality is that Jesus calls such a unwanted and unaccepted man to become his follower. Something unimaginable 

*3) Change in Matthew*

The call of Matthew by Jesus gives a *U Turn* to His life 

On the spot he decides to follow Jesus and leaves everything 

Such a bold decision from Matthew, changes His life and he becomes the ardent follower of Jesus 

*4) From Matthew the Tax- Collector to Matthew the Evangelist*

Matthew the Tax Collector becomes the Matthew the Evangelist

The most unwanted and unaccepted man becomes most wanted and accepted in the History

This is the power of Jesus' call 

When Jesus calls, He calls with a definite purpose which makes the person to change the life and to commit oneself for the mission of Jesus 

*5) Jesus' Call for me*

Like Matthew all of us are called by Jesus. That's why we are the followers of Jesus 

Matthew left everything and became the disciple of Jesus. What about me? 

Unless we leave everything behind like Matthew, change will not come in our life. Matthew's life had tremendous change, because he left everything and followed Jesus 

Am I able to take the example of Matthew? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*