Feast of Saint Matthew, apostle and evangelist
(Ephesians
4:1-7.11-13; Matthew 9:9-13)
It is said that St.
Dominic carried a copy of Matthew’s gospel.
Like other serious Churchpersons, Dominic valued not only the first
gospel’s discourse on community but also its pedagogic order. Between the introductory chapters telling of
Jesus’ birth and the finals chapter dealing with the death and resurrection,
Matthew has five sections. Each section
has an opening narrative and a monologue of Jesus giving extended comment on a particular
topic.
Today’s gospel is
taken from the second section where Jesus calls his disciples. A bit after the narrative, Jesus will deliver
his apostolic discourse that instructs his followers apostles about carrying
out a mission. There are also lectures
on the moral life of Christians, on the Kingdom of God (told in parables), on
Church custom and order, and on the return of Jesus at the end of time. Matthew weaves all this in the structure
which he likely took from Mark’s gospel.
We can take away much
from this gospel. Above all it testifies to Jesus being both son of David and
Son of God. As human, he was like us in
every way except sin. He knew our disappointments
and hopes, our tears and our joys. As Son
of God (or God), he provides us with all we need for moral success and eternal
happiness.
