The readings for mass today are pretty awesome. The first reading for mass is especially awesome because it is about our call to help build up the body of Christ. Saint Paul encourages Christ’s disciples to lead a life worthy of the calling that they have received to build up the church in unity, through the same spirit, and in peace. We have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. God has given each of us different abilities that we can use to serve the church. Some of us were called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, in different ministries that help build up the body of Christ. The gifts we have vary in different ways and in different measures, but put together we can do beautiful things for the Lord. And the awesome thing about building up the body of Christ is that you don’t have to be perfect to do it. Whatever skills you are lacking in, others often step in to help and it all comes together to become a beautiful gift for the Lord.
In today’s gospel Jesus was walking by Matthew, a tax collector, when he stopped and spoke to him saying, “Follow me.” And, Matthew got up and followed him. We also are called to be quiet enough in our own prayers to hear the Lord’s voice calling us to serve him in his church too. Then, we should imitate Matthew and not hesitate to do it. We have so many excuses sometimes. We don’t have time, we have too many other obligations, we are self conscious, shy, or not very confident in our skills. None of these things matter because the Holy Spirit guides the actions of the church, including us. It works out. It always does, if we but take the first step.
In the last part of the gospel today, Jesus sat down to eat dinner with tax collectors and sinners. Maybe there was so many because he had just called Matthew, the tax collector to follow him. Perhaps the Lord intended to eat with them and visit with them and show them all what acceptance and community was like. Everyone likes to be accepted and included and that includes people who have lived a less than perfect life or that others do not like. The Pharisees of course, found this offensive when they asked Christ’s disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus overheard their question and responded “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” He went on to say, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
All are welcome in our church. Many people who have led a very sinful life will sometimes comment that God wouldn’t want them in His church, or that their feet will burn if they should enter a church (because of their sins). This is nonsense. Our task is to see to it that they come to understand that we are all sinners. Church isn’t a shrine to saints, it is a hospital for sinners.
This weekend, let us find ways to connect with other people whether they happen to be part of our church or not. Evangelization isn’t so much quoting scripture and formal bible studies. True evangelization is simply loving people and being willing to spend time with them. That could be a simple thing like pausing to listen to a stranger more carefully when they speak, or calling up a friend or family member that doesn’t go to church anymore and just visiting with them. Over a period of time people will be able to tell if you genuinely care about them or not and will be more likely to come to church sometime because you took the time to show that you care about them. That is exactly what Jesus did in today’s gospel too. He simply cared about those people that no one else did.
