HOMILY OF SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 2021, SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
R1:- Isaiah 58:9c-14
PS:- 86:1-2.3-4.5-6
Accl:- Psalm 95:7d-8a
Gosp:- Luke 5:27-32
THEME: FOUND BY GRACE: DISCOVERING OUR TRUE CALL.
Though a rich man, things were not that smooth for Matthew. It took the person of Jesus Christ to navigate into the depth of his inner cry for fulfil ment. Though learned, he was needed in a life course more noble than sitting at the tax booth. He was sick, Jesus knew. He was needed somewhere else. Jesus discovered his inner treasures. It took only a beckon, and he followed the master.
Moreover, the call of Matthew was the call of a man who must have been waiting desperately for an opportunity to reach out to Jesus. He must have been thinking that Jesus would reject him the way the scribes and pharisees do. He must have been praying for this opportunity which came on a platter of gold. ” _And the Lord said to him, ‘follow me’ and he left everything, and rose and followed him_ .” Luke 5:27-28.
We must shun the attitude of bracketing people, who we think are not living sweeter to our taste. God may be in need of them anytime. There are some inner treasures in others, which prejudice cannot permit us to see. It takes the eyes of God to see them.
Hence, when possible, we must wisely work along with Jesus to harness the gifts in others, irrespective of their shortcomings. Though it may cost us our name or make us victims of orchestrated gossip, the end result will always be written on the altar of posterity. This may be risky. Hence, there is need for proper scrutiny and discernment.
However, Jesus made a wise choice in Matthew. His choice of Judas , for instance, despite his careful selection, finally led to his betrayer. “If he knew that this man is a thief, he would not have chosen him” The scribes and pharisees would have commented. However, that did not make his choice less wise. Everyone chosen by Christ, has a purpose to fulfil in his ministry. Once chosen by God, ours is to use our role to work on our weaknesses and for our salvation, lest our personal inclinations destroys our destiny.
In the case of Matthew, the scribes and pharisees said to Jesus, ” why do you eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
His response was, ” _Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”_ Luke 5:30-32.
We are all privileged people called by God for his service, despite our shortcomings. All he needs is that we do not rake his call for granted. He did not call us because we are the best or because of who we are. He called us because of what he can make of us.
Therefore, let us be open to God’s invitation anytime he calls on us. Let us be ready to make whatever sacrifice required to fulfill his terms. Matthew’s response was to leave the tax booth, despite the financial benefits he gets there. Only Jesus knows our true and unique life call. We cannot judge our life purpose by our wealth. We can find our ultimate fulfilment only in God.
May the call of God not elude us. May we not tarry in finding our true life call. Like Matthew, may we be found by God’s grace. Amen.
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