Questions with Fr Martin Sirju: Bringing the marvels of God on to local soil
July 1, 2021
Saturday July 3rd: Believe that Jesus is always present
July 3, 2021
Jesus called Matthew and each one of us because he believes in each one.
Matthew 9: 9 – 13.
Today’s passage is the call of Matthew the tax collector. Every call, whether to a specific vocation or to Christian discipleship, has the same elements. They are, Jesus believes in us and sees our potential.
If Jesus went on first impressions he should not have called Matthew because of his work as a tax collector. Tax collectors, of Jesus’ time, had one reputation. They were all considered horrible people. Thankfully first impressions do not tell the whole story.
Jesus called Matthew and each one of us because he believes in each one. The passage says that as soon as Matthew responded to Jesus’s call, he immediately became the instrument for other tax collectors and sinners to meet Jesus.
Each person who answers Jesus’ call becomes another voice through which the Kingdom is announced. That is good news. The good news today is Matthew’s past did not prevent him from becoming a disciple. No one should be hindered by their past. We can trust our potential to be good news to others.
