Saturday, June 07, 2008

Call of Saint Matthew



It is a common lament which echoes through parish halls all over the nation: "Why is it always the same people who volunteer to help out?" Whether it is teaching catechism or manning the food pantry, parish leaders find themselves calling upon the same pool of faithful parishioners whenever there's work to do. While we value their eager service, we all would agree that they need help and that the mission of the community would be enriched by the talents and insights of a wider circle of volunteers.

Jesus addressed the problem of too few workers for a vast harvest by expanding the labor pool. Instead of calling those known to be religious, he sought out sinners and those who lacked a reputation for piety. To know how true this is we only have to review the resumes of the apostles which included fishermen (Peter and Andrew), political extremists (Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot) and tax collectors such as Matthew who is the object of Jesus' call in this weekend's gospel (Mt.9:9-13). In fact, the group following Jesus looked more like a police line up than a traditional religious gathering which caused the Pharisees to unwittingly ask one of the most provocative questions in the gospels: "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

As it turned out, not only did Jesus welcome sinners to the table, but he called them to follow his example of mercy by themselves reaching out to sinners. Jesus' mercy expressed itself not only in welcoming sinners but in giving them a share in his mission. Not only would they know the joy of being forgiven, but they would share in Jesus' excitement at witnessing God at work in the world by proclaiming the good news.

In the light of Jesus' example, we must ask ourselves whom we are overlooking when we are calling parishioners to service. Who might welcome a warm invitation or benefit from a gentle challenge? Do our personal prejudices or ignorance make us judge certain groups of people as unable or unwilling to contribute? Do we fear that we are imposing on people when we ask them to give of their time rather than see ourselves inviting them to share in the joy of the harvest?

What would it do to our community's sense of God's mercy if the homeless were teaching catechism? What would happen to our parish's prejudices if former prisoners served as Eucharistic ministers? How much more joyful would our celebrations be if those with special needs participated actively in our liturgies? How would our neighborhoods be transformed if teenagers and young adults caught a fever for social justice?

A community which reflects the wideness of God's mercy would be such a place where there would be no lack of those willing to give of themselves to those who are likewise willing to welcome and embrace them.



PRAYER

Lord of the harvest,
your mercy knows no limits
and makes no exceptions.

Give us an open heart like that of your Son;
open our eyes to the gifts of those around us;
and help us to discern rather than to merely delegate.

May your love and mercy shine forth so strongly
in the life of our community that it challenge our prejudices
and overcome our divisions.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 Comments:

At 11:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Doug,
Excellent reflection. I sat in front of that painting many times on the way back from the Greg. I have a print of it in my home. Thanks.
M Hermes

 

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