As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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He said to him, “Follow me.”
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This probably wasn’t the first time Matthew heard of Jesus, who was already a type of celebrity.
But today Jesus invites Matthew into his inner circle – and Matthew jumps at the chance!
But Matthew had no idea what his future held. He had no idea of the risk; the personal transformation he’d experience; or the personal responsibility that would later be placed on his shoulders.
If he did, then he might’ve shrieked in fear or knelt in humility.
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I’m sure looking back over our own lives, there are times when we would’ve shrieked in fear if we knew what was ahead – a malignant diagnosis, an unexpected death, a sudden turn of events.
Similarly, there might’ve been days when we would’ve leapt for joy.
If I had known, for example, that I’d be destined for St. Pius X, then I would’ve walked every day of my past with pep in my step.
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Saint Matthew reminds us that, regardless of what lies ahead, God has a plan for our lives.
We only need to accept it one day at a time.
Hopefully, with a little pep in our step.
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Image credits: (1) Forbes (2) The Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio (3) Everypixel
Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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From the very beginning of Christianity, governments have tried squashing the Church. This was first true under the Roman Empire. For centuries, emperors led sporadic purges, causing Christians to be martyred by the thousands.
But, mysteriously, the Church continued to grow.
This was even true in the 20th century. From 1926-1929, for example, an estimated 30,000 Catholics were killed by the Mexican government in what was known as the Cristero War.
Catholics fought against their government because there was not a separation between Church and State, but a complete subordination of the Church to the State.
Many Catholics gave their lives for their beliefs – and, mysteriously, the Church continued to grow.
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Today we remember, in particular, the 10,000 martyrs who died in Korea after the Gospel first reached its shores.
Christian missionaries taught them that everyone was equal in their dignity by virtue of their baptism, a radical shift their traditional class-based system.
The purity of these Christians’ faith challenged the powers that be, leading to widespread persecution.
And, mysteriously, the Church continued to grow.
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The martyrs remind us that we are, as Jesus says,“the light of the world…the salt of the earth…and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against us.”
May their example strengthen us to continue bearing witness to the Truth.
As we do, mysteriously, the Church will continue to grow.
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Image credits: (1) CatholicAnswers.com (2) Gospel Teaching Life Church, WordPress (3) Faith Community Church
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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How many of us have seen the Disney classic, Cinderella?
Like many of you, I grew up on the 1950’s original, but another version was released back in 2015. So, in honor of this sermon, I rented a copy on iTunes, buttered up some popcorn, and pushed “play.”
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I’m sure we know how the story goes: after her father dies unexpectedly, a young Cinderella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, who force her into servitude inside their home.
Cinderella washes their clothes, polishes their boots, and scrubs the floors on her hands and knees.
Being treated so unfairly could make anyone bitter. But Cinderella never lost her inner goodness.
One of the key moments in the story comes when the prince decides to host a royal ball, where he will choose a young lady to marry.
Obsessed with the idea of becoming a princess, Cinderella’s stepsisters begin arguing amongst themselves about who will be chosen. In a word, who’s the “greatest.”
Magically, Cinderella also makes it to the ball, where she captures the prince’s eye, briefly dances with him, then runs off before the clock strikes midnight.
Surprising everyone, it’s she – the lowly servant – who wins the prince’s heart.
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There’s something ironic – even Christian – about that – the idea that the servant wins in the end.
Even in sports, a “Cinderella story” refers to the most unlikely athlete or team winning it all.
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In today’s Gospel, the disciples are caught bickering back and forth about who’s the greatest, much like Cinderella’s evil stepsisters.
Is it Peter, the “rock” of the Church? Judas, the treasurer? Or John the “beloved”? Perhaps someone else?
This trivial competition sends chills down Christ’s spine.
He’s just predicted his own death and resurrection for a second time, but the disciples still don’t get it. They’re ignoring his message of service, focusing on power politics, instead.
Jesus needs to change their attitudes quickly, because time is running out. They’re approaching Jerusalem, where he will lay down his life, leaving them in charge of the Church.
The disciples must understand that Christians are not necessarily the most powerful or the most popular. “The greatest among you,” Jesus says, “must be your servant.”
In a sense, the greatest among you must live like Cinderella.
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In what ways do we serve other people?
Think about this in the most ordinary sense.
For example, at home, when chores need to be done or the kids need to be chauffeured, do we do our fair share?
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Or think about our role as servants here in church. Have we asked the Lord where we might fit in?
There’s a place for everyone.
I think of those who planned our recent golf outing; volunteers of our Welcome and Hospitality Committee; our soup kitchen; our youth group and choir.
On this Catechetical Sunday, we also remember our young people who are starting another year of religious education. Simply going to class, trying to learn something about Jesus is an act of service.
And to our parents, bringing your children to class, to Mass, and even volunteering to teach, glorifies God.
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Remember Cinderella. She was the humble servant – the underdog – the least likely to win. But in the end, the prince gives her things she’d never have on her own – royalty, riches, and his heart.
Similarly, Jesus teaches us that those who serve others in this world – both at home and in church – will be the ones invited to his heavenly banquet, where he will give us things we’d never have otherwise – divinity, peace, and eternal life.
