Homily: Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle

Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle (Mt 9:9-13) “Choosing Something New”

St. Matthew had probably worked to get the position he held for many years. As a tax collector, we could say, he had a “government job.” Maybe we have all heard that term before. The connotation is that such a job is safe. You are not going to get fired. Such jobs have good benefits as well. St. Matthew had it made. He did not have to worry about the future.

But Matthew must have been a unique person. Maybe he was bored with his occupation. Perhaps he was tired of being ostracized because of his job. Tax collectors are never well liked. Then again, he may have been open to the Spirit and what the Spirit was prompting him to do. He moved from a predictable future to an unknown future when he chose to leave his tax post to follow the rabbi from Nazareth.

I have known many priests in my life who have made the decision to seek ordinations despite having lucrative careers. Some have been doctors, others have been lawyers, still others have been businessmen. They felt there was something missing in their life.

I have known other priests who have been very intelligent and who have been very personable. The men I speak of could have been a success in many different fields, but they chose to be priests.

There are sisters I know who have made the same choices. Today women have a lot of options for what they can do with their lives. We have a vocations shortage in the United States Church. Perhaps this is because Catholic young people do have choices, they did not have 150 years ago.

Is there more to this choice than trying to figure out a career path? It is more inspirational to think that the choice to follow Jesus as a priest or religious or committed lay person is not a calculation, but that it is a holy calling that can never fully be explained. If we move with the Spirit as Matthew did, we will take a road less traveled. We will be led as Matthew was to places, we never thought we would go.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I ever taken the risk to do something unique in my life? What was it?

2.    Do I feel open to the Spirits promptings? What would be the sign that I am?

 Dear Parishioners,

           We had our first RCIA class tonight and we had about ten people come who were interested in becoming Catholic. We may have others who will come as well. This is an exciting thing for our parish. It would be nice to think that after the last few years of struggle that people are searching for meaning and that search has brought them to our church.

          Maybe these seekers are like Matthew and the Spirit is moving them in new directions. Let’s pray for those who are in or RCIA community. We pray for our Catechists and for the candidates.

          May Our Lady intercede for all the people of Puerto Rico and for the poor and destitute throughout the world.

          Fr. Mark