Thoughts for the Day

The Calling of Matthew

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.

And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The labradors, Toffee and Fudge, had run ahead and were busy chasing smells across the deserted beach, and heading towards the next bay round the corner, which I knew would quickly disappear under the incoming tide. I began calling the dogs as loudly as I could over the sound and fury of the wind and waves. Not a flicker of a response occurred. I shouted again. Toffee looked up, only to go back to playing with some seaweed. And so it went on. I called, they ignored me. I called, they turned to look. Finally I called "Dinner!", my usual call when desperate, before deliberately turning away and heading back to the car. Shortly they followed, and I was able to give them some dog treats before putting them safety back into the car.

Today we celebrate Saint Matthew, a hated tax collector, called by Jesus to be one of his disciples. When the time was right Matthew chose to respond to that call. Jesus talks of his followers as sheep and he is the shepherd, but not having had many sheep in my world, I think in terms of dogs - dogs that are continually called, but to whom their own concerns are more important; and dogs who hear the call, but who choose whether to answer it or not.

Matthew was to go on to write one of the favourite's of the four Gospels. The call for us is not a once only call, indeed it can be frequent, and can come through other people, through reading scripture, or through our prayers. We need to listen for it and respond, for our Lord Jesus knows what is best for us.

Collect for Saint Matthew

O Almighty God,
whose blessed Son called Matthew the tax collector
to be an apostle and evangelist:
give us grace to forsake the selfish pursuit of gain and the possessive love of riches
that we may follow in the way of your Son Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.