Feast of St Matthew

Matthew 9: 9 - 13

Today we remember Matthew, the 'tax collector', one of the men Jesus called to be his companion on his kingdom mission. He was an unlikely choice - a Jew who was despised by his fellowmen for collaborating with the Roman government. Jesus passed by his booth, and called out to him. Matthew responded immediately. We are not told what passed through Matthew's mind when he heard the invitation "Follow me". Perhaps Jesus' gaze caught his attention and awakened his deep thirst for meaning in his life. Matthew's privileged position and material goods somehow did not fulfill that deep thirst for 'something more'. Perhaps he had heard of Jesus, the rabbi whose teaching and healing was the talk of the town. Perhaps he had thought hard about his position - materially privileged, yet a social outcast. At that point he was ready for conversion; God's grace meeting human longing. So Matthew's life took a 360 degree turn from that day onwards - from the security of his business to the uncertainty of following an itinerant teacher.

Religious conversion is like that - one's focus shifts completely. What was important before becomes a sideline. New priorities take the place of old securities. I think we should remember that conversion of the heart (or perhaps it would be better to call it 'renovation or renewal of the heart') happens more than once. At every transition or crisis moment in our lives, our heart is readied for more of God. Our lives come under scrutiny again and we are aware of areas that have not fully surrendered to the 'call' of our beloved Lord. Or perhaps like Jesus said, those parts that are still 'sick'. We are invited to move deeper into God for healing and transformation and truly for 'more of God'.