The Company We Keep

Gospel: Matthew 9: 9-13

This story of the call of Matthew highlights two important and fundamental aspects of authentic religion.  The first is the awareness and recognition of our sinfulness.  Matthew and his fellow tax collectors as well as other public sinners are conscious of that reality, and as such they are able to move beyond it in order to grow.  The Pharisees by contrast are unaware of their sinfulness and the fact that all humans are sinners.  Consequently they cannot grow and thus remain stagnant and self-righteous.

The second fundamental aspect is the fact that despite our sinfulness, or perhaps because of it, Jesus invites us into his presence and to share a meal with him.  It is through this meal and encounter with the Lord that transformation, renewal, and progress in our lives becomes possible.  Through the meal we are given inspiration and nourishment to undertake this journey of change, this journey of illumination and divinization to which we are called.

This invitation continues even today at the table of the Lord.  We are to exclude no one from it, and to encourage others to come.  At the table we are conscious of our sin and we want to do better, and at the table we find the extension of mercy and the path to renewal and illumination.  We can accept the invitation and welcome others like Matthew, or we can be Pharisees and exclude others and stunt our own growth.