Pope Benedict XVI on Saint Matthew

Just a reminder that today is his feast day:

Pope Benedict XVI on Saint Matthew: "

From the Holy Father's August 30, 2006, General Audience, which is one of 31 audience addresses compiled in Jesus, The Apostles, and the Early Church (Ignatius Press, 2007):

Thus, in the figure of Matthew, the Gospels present to us a true and proper paradox: those who seem to be the farthest from holiness can even become a model of the acceptance of God's mercy and offer a glimpse of its marvelous effects in their own lives.

St John Chrysostom makes an important point in this regard: he notes that only in the account of certain calls is the work of those concerned mentioned. Peter, Andrew, James and John are called while they are fishing, while Matthew, while he is collecting tithes.

These are unimportant jobs, Chrysostom comments, 'because there is nothing more despicable than the tax collector, and nothing more common than fishing' (In Matth. Hom.: PL 57, 363). Jesus' call, therefore, also reaches people of a low social class while they go about their ordinary work.

Another reflection prompted by the Gospel narrative is that Matthew responds instantly to Jesus' call: 'he rose and followed him'. The brevity of the sentence clearly highlights Matthew's readiness in responding to the call. For him it meant leaving everything, especially what guaranteed him a reliable source of income, even if it was often unfair and dishonorable. Evidently, Matthew understood that familiarity with Jesus did not permit him to pursue activities of which God disapproved.

• Read further excerpts from Jesus, The Apostles, and the Early Church.

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(Via Insight Scoop | The Ignatius Press Blog.)