We would like to say more about this man, but we know almost nothing about him. We only know that his name was Matthew and that he worked in the tax office. We do not know whether he had a wife and children or whether he left them to follow Jesus. We cannot say whether he went there just for a trial or for a temporary internship to see if something would come of it, something for life or not. We do not know whether he was rich or whether he had to pay anything into the disciples’ fund. We also would like to know what kind of person he was, whether he was honest or cunning.
The man worked in the customs office. That probably means he was a tax collector. That says it all! He was a collaborator, and he was corrupt. Tax collectors served the Roman occupiers. They rented the customs office and were happy to earn significantly more than they paid in rent. They lined their pockets—the Romans tolerated corruption. So Matthew was a tax collector. We still want to know whether he was a tax collector as described in the book or a decent one. Is there such a thing as a decent tax collector? I would like to know whether he was happy with his choice of profession. Did he have any choice at all? Was he willing to pursue a lucrative but not prestigious profession?
We would like to know whether Matthew had a guilty conscience and could dull the resulting suffering with money and a certain amount of luxury. Or whether he had no conscience at all and said to himself: I don’t care what others think; I’ll take advantage of the good earning opportunities that the Romans offer.” Perhaps many would like to talk to Matthew. They would invite him to dinner. You get to know a person best by the food he eats. It starts with the food you choose. Does a person eat everything, or is he picky? How do you use a knife and fork? Does he talk, or does he just focus on the food? Does he take food only for himself, or does he also serve it to others? You get to know a person well by eating.
Jesus must have thought the same: you truly get to know a person by eating. That is why he went to eat with Matthew, whom he had called and whom he wanted to get to know. They began to talk. However, we know that in addition to Matthew, other tax collectors and other people of dubious reputation also ate and talked with him, and that some Pharisees also came. They did not come to eat with him, but to see who Jesus was meeting. The stories that Jesus began to write have a happy ending because they are God’s stories. Faith opens up enough imagination that even stories about people we barely know have a happy ending.
Faith can easily imagine how it will end. But we assume that the conversation gave everyone something to reflect on. Everyone thought about themselves: the tax collector about his profession and behavior, and the Pharisees about their values and principles. Before we say anything about someone, whether they adhere to our values and principles, we should talk to them, get to know them, hear their stories, ask about their beliefs, and ask their name! And go to dinner with them!
“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but those who are sick do. Everyone is sick; all of humanity is sick because they forget God, and they need the only physician who heals, who heals.” That is why we pray at every Holy Mass, in preparation for Communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul will be healed.”
Thus, Jesus heals the tax collector with a word, with one powerful, redemptive word: “Follow me!” Immediately, without hesitation, Matthew rises and follows the Lord into a new life. Perhaps we can learn from this to be more merciful and generous ourselves. The example and intercession of Saint Matthew help us in our journey!
