Feast of Matthew Evangelist
Readings:
Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13
Matthew 9:9-13
Reflection:
Today the church commemorates the evangelist Matthew. The scripture readings speak of our giftedness received from the spirit, with which we are compelled to use to bring about the kingdom of God: ‘It was his gift that some should be apostles, others evangelists. (Ephesians) The Gospel reading recounts the calling of Matthew: “Follow me. And standing up, he followed him.””
As I reflected on the words of the gospel, the phrase: “What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed, I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.;” and the image below came to mind. One that I have used many times in reflections. The artist, a German post WWII survivor and priest, Sieger Koder. I have a few of his books depicting his compositions. The caption with this piece – Beloved of the broken heart: To make “Christ’s merciful love visible by making real, through every human encounter, the profound dignity of the human person”.’
The artwork (refer to the cover image) itself, bleak and depressing and definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. However, for me there is a strong connection with the artwork and today’s gospel.
As Jesus was walking on he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
While he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When he heard this he replied, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
What strikes me about the painting is the perspective of the viewers, as we sit in the place of Jesus at the table with hands open breaking bread for the guests. Notice the guests – all but one looks to Jesus in expectation. Perhaps the scene speaks to the reaction of people after witnessing the interaction of Jesus with the Pharisees. It is their questioning – what they seek; what they want to know is if what they have seen and heard is the truth! Are these words just niceties that Jesus speaks? Or is this the truth about themselves, about their profound value and meaning?
I believe this authenticity is sadly missing in religious organisations today. It is what the world is seeking from the Christian, individually and collectively. In a world spinning out of control, losing its focus and foundation, people seek meaning. We only need to look at what has happened in the middle east in the last couple of days!
People want to believe that their lives and the lives of others mean something, and they seek to see it in the Christian evidence of the Gospel message in operation.
Focus on the art work again, the hands of Jesus in the foreground breaking bread – We sit in His place, we, His hands and feet. As Christians, we are called to make manifest to the persons seeking to know their dignity and meaning the profound worth they have before our God. People expect to see difference because of this in the Gospel message and in the values our Christian organisations profess; and rightly so! If not, we need to ask ourselves have we become fraudulent like the pharisees?
How will we convince those who seek the truth of the Gospel message? Simply by living the message of Matthew’s Gospel today – “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” People want to see Christians who not only know and can recite the words of scripture but who have also experienced the MERCY of God.
We as witnesses to Jesus in the world, are called to live from that Mercy, and share it with others. And how will you and I know that Mercy? By being aware of our own brokenness. This is how we become aware of the great need for Mercy in others and in our world. When we are profoundly aware of the Mercy that has been given to us, we can then share that same Mercy with others.
Someone once said, “If you want peace, work for justice.” We can continue…. “If you want justice, practice Mercy!” If no one is willing to be merciful, justice will never have a chance to flourish.
Michael Schiano has been a member of St. Brigid’s parish since 1990. As a parish member he has served on the Parish Pastoral Council, Liturgy Committee, Bereavement Team and is a member of the Passionist Companions. He has been an educator in the Archdiocese and has held positions in middle management and executive leadership positions. He currently works in Aged Care in the roles of Pastoral Care Co-Ordinator and Chaplaincy at Brigidine House, Randwick; St. Anne’s Hunters Hill; Pastoral Care Officer at Calvary Ryde.