Few of us would consider ourselves Saints. We hesitate to call ourselves disciples of Jesus. When we think of saints, we think often think of individuals who were in some form, super human. Without faults or sins.
The story of Matthew should tell us that just maybe we all have the potential to be saints.
Matthew is a tax collector; one of the most contemptible professions in Gospel times. In the Roman system the tax system was rife with fraud and theft.
Jews considered tax collectors traitors to the faith because they worked with and collaborated with the despised Romans. Yet Jesus called Matthew to join him.
By following Jesus, Matthew lost something but found something. He lost a good income, a comfortable job, but he found honor. He lost a comfortable life but found an adventure of life, one that he probably never dreamed of.
He left something, but took something. He left his tax collectors table but took his skills. This reminds us that Jesus can use whatever skills we have.
The choice of Matthew also reminds us that Jesus does not call us to be successful but to be faithful. Our Baptism is an ongoing process of conversion, of growing to become the person Jesus wants us to be.
The Gospel bearing Matthew’s name begins with calling Jesus “Emmanuel”. It is a reminder that God is with us in our struggles, in our failures, even in our moments of doubt and despair.
Let us live the promise of Emmanuel, that God is with us, and who knows someday we might even become a saint!