7 July 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections

First Reading: Genesis 23: 1-4, 19; 24: 1-8, 62-67
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 106: 1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 28
Gospel: Matthew 9: 9-13

In today’s Gospel reading, a tax collector was asked by Jesus to follow Him. We know that tax collectors were considered traitors of the Jewish people since they were working for the Romans, the “oppressors” of the Jews. The ordinary Jew would not even converse with one such as this.

But Jesus says to him, “Follow me.” Matthew got up and followed him immediately, no questions nor conditions asked. What an unexpected response, and beautiful simplicity! He didn’t even know that Jesus was going to make him one of the Apostles. In a way, we might say that he signed a blank check and gave it to Jesus. Matthew then goes a step further; he invites Jesus to his house for dinner. A Jew generally invited only his closest friends and relatives to dinner. It was a sign of intimacy, friendship and love. Matthew even goes overboard and lays out the red carpet for Christ.

In contrast to Matthew’s genuineness, we see the Pharisees’ “righteousness.” Jesus’ dining with a sinner like Matthew is a scandal for them. They felt the need to confront Jesus on his “disgraceful conduct.” The problem is that they haven’t understood the first thing about the Messiah. They are looking at Christ (and God) from a very rational perspective when the only point of view is faith and love. This happens frequently in our lives as we begin to judge events, circumstances and others without faith and charity. Before we notice it, we may have rejected and possibly even maligned our neighbor. We are not looking at things from a supernatural vantage point but rather from our merely human standards.

This is the