According to the Gospel which bears his name, Matthew Levi was the fifth of the Apostles called by Jesus. The first four were fisherman. This fifth was a tax collector. Just as you or I might find it somewhat difficult to form camaraderie with an agent of the IRS, Matthew's job was still more detestable because he collected taxes not for the local government but for the occupying Roman army. He was considered a traitor who had sold his soul. But Matthew's response tot Jesus' invitation to “follow me” was just as immediate and unconditional as those of the four fishermen who preceded him.

Incidentally Franco Zeferelli captures this scene very dramatically and powerfully in his film: Jesus of Nazareth.

The point is clearly to demonstrate that the disciples of Jesus do not have to present credentials of worthiness. Jesus finds himself comfortable in the company of sinners, even notorious sinners; because these are the very people he has come to save.

All men and women are sinners, especially those who don’t think they are. That is why Jesus quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures: “I desire mercy not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” There is an echo in this form of Hebrew poetry which repeats every other line. We find a similar form in the first reading:

In their affliction people will say: Let us strive to know the Lord. .

As certain as the dawn is His coming; His judgment shines like the light of day.

Your piety is like a morning cloud which quickly evaporates.

It is love that I desire not sacrifice; steadfastness and faithfulness.

But much less rigid than Hosea, Jesus repetitively speaks of his mercy being greater than sacrifice; greater than justice. Mercy does not have to be earned or deserved. It is the gift of God.

In the second reading we read from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans over the next 14 weeks; but particularly in today’s pericope Paul recounts the ancient story of the promise to Abraham and Sarah of conceiving a son in their old age. Abraham has difficulty understanding. Sarah outright laughs at what she considers impossible.

For most of us, faith is somewhat like that, a hoping against hope, instead of a rejoicing in hope. But faith is still faith when it flickers and even when at times it snickers.

Today religion tends to become institutionalized and depersonalized. That is the real tragedy. You can only form relationship with a person, not with an institution. Instead of propagate the word of God's mercy. Instead of sharing the Great things that God has done for me. We tend to cultivate our own concerns and look out for me first--that is not a religion--that is not the kingdom of eternal life--that is cult.

It makes those who are considered outsiders or sinners to feel less than welcome and unworthy of belonging. These words of Jesus sound so idealistic and out of touch with reality. And, if they were words isolated from deeds than we might justify our feelings that Jesus asks the impossible.

But His words are always put into action; and if not by his bishops priests and ministers than they are the first to be taught this lesson of love and acceptance, and not rejection so they will be able to share it with others and encourage all to be doers of the word and not hearers only.