Hosea 5:15-6:6
Romans 4:13-18
Matthew 9:9-13
Psalm 50 or 50:7-15
It was a cold and wintry morning and it was around 6:40 a.m., on February 2, 1960. Gathered at the bottom of the steps of St. James the Apostle Church in New York City was an 11 year old boy, a 75 year old man and a 77 year old woman. They were regulars waiting to get into the church for its midday morning Communion Service at 7:00 a.m. The boy was an acolyte and quite a faithful one as he never missed his turn to serve at the altar. The two adults also with him were faithful parishioners who never missed this early morning Communion Service.
The boy, even at the age of 11, had felt a calling to be a priest. He didn't have visions or apparitions or clanging symbols telling him that this was what he needed to do. He had a persistent feeling, a voice from deep within him that he was to do this. To that end he went away to boarding school at the age of 12 ½ which just happened to be a High School for those interested in the ordained ministry. His parents and friends couldn't believe that he had already decided what to do with his life at such a young age but despite their questioning and objections he pursued this calling somewhat like Matthew in today's Gospel.
The calling of Matthew is a very brief and simple story on the surface or so it seems to be for us. Jesus says, "Follow me." Matthew follows. There weren't many in the world who would look Matthew in the eye since he was one of the most unliked and despised people in the land - a tax collector. Even prostitutes had more social status. Matthew, a tax collector, was seen as a traitor and collaborator with the enemy - the Roman government and Empire!!
Jesus saw the good in Matthew and Matthew responded accordingly. Those two words "Follow me" broke through all the walls he had built to protect himself from the pain of his isolation and shame and turned him inside out. Instead of offering Matthew the scorn he expected, maybe even thought he deserved it, Jesus offered him acceptance and love.
Don't you think that too often in our interactions with people, we see their faults and not their good points? We are quick to judgment because it's easier to identify the bad rather than the good.
We need to start seeing with Jesus' eyes. We need to build people up and not tear them down. We need to celebrate what Jesus is doing in others' lives and what he can do for those in our communities who don't yet know him. There are many out there in Sauk Centre, Grey Eagle and surrounding towns.
Jesus did just this by eating with such lowlifes as tax collectors and sinners. Why wasn't Jesus avoiding unclean people?
Jesus had a different idea about how God's love works. Jesus believed that God's love and mercy were more powerful than evil - and that every act of love and mercy started an infection of love so contagious that it would eventually overcome all that was evil, make whole all that was broken and bring about the kingdom of God.
Do you think we have any idea of how much God loves us? Do you think we have concept of it? Wouldn't it be wonderful to look at our neighbors through God's eyes, to pray for them, care for them and introduce them to Jesus? This is what we need to do, I think, if we want to grow. Invite a friend or neighbor to church and build that relationship as you introduce them to Jesus and you model how a caring community of Christians live and love one another right here at Good Samaritan. We will grow and grow beyond our wildest expectations!!
Jesus said he came to heal the sick - those in need of a physician. He didn't come to heal the healthy! Jesus does indeed heal our mind, body and soul if we let him. Jesus looked at Matthew in a way no one else did. He liked him and he brought new life and health to his soul.
And lastly, Jesus came to call sinners - "For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." And we have all sinned. I don't think there's a person here this morning who hasn't sinned.
But Jesus comes along, we repent, we're forgiven and given new grace in his love.
The 11 year old acolyte standing at the bottom of the steps of St. James Church took a few detours in following Jesus' call. He completed High School, went on to college and put the idea of ordained ministry out of his head for quite a while. He even turned his back on God and the church for a period of time.
For 20 years now, the call has never really gone away. In fact, the young acolyte has come full circle now being only four months away from being ordained a priest. He's standing before you this morning as a testament to God's love, mercy and forgiveness.
This morning Jesus is extending his loving arms to you and me - not to be ordained - but to commit our lives to him - to "Come, Follow Him."
Will we say "yes" to him as Matthew did and follow him or will we just think about it and leave church without ever thinking about it.
What will your (my) decision be? I hope it's affirmative because embracing Jesus as our Lord and Savior will transform us in ways we can hardly imagine.
Don't you want to realize those possibilities for the rest of your lives? Amen.