San Matteo, Saint of the day for 21 September

(c. XNUMXst century)

The story of San Matteo
Matthew was a Jew who worked for the Roman occupation forces, collecting taxes from other Jews. The Romans were not scrupulous about what the "tax farmers" got for themselves. Hence the latter, known as "tax collectors", were generally hated as traitors by their fellow Jews. The Pharisees grouped them with "sinners" (see Matthew 9: 11-13). So it was shocking to them to hear Jesus calling such a man as one of his close followers.

Matthew got Jesus into further trouble by organizing some kind of farewell party at his home. The Gospel tells us that many tax collectors and "those known as sinners" came to the dinner. The Pharisees were even more shocked. What business had the supposed great teacher who associated with such immoral people? Jesus' response was: “Those who are well do not need a doctor, 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 ”(Matthew 9: 12b-13). Jesus is not putting aside rituals and worship; he is saying that loving others is even more important.

No other particular episode about Matthew is found in the New Testament.

Reflection
From such an unlikely situation, Jesus chose one of the foundations of the Church, a man who others, judging by his work, thought was not holy enough for the position. But Matthew was honest enough to admit that he was one of the sinners Jesus had come to call. He was open enough to recognize the truth when he saw him. “And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9: 9b).