St. 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.’ Matthew 9:9-13

God calls the strangest people to roles of leadership. Any honest deacon, priest or bishop has said on some regular basis, "I am not worthy or capable of this call.' We might act as if we are great leaders and right for the job, but in truth, we often know we are not. Matthew was the farthest thing from righteous. Yet when Jesus called him he said yes. The ridicule of the religious leaders and others must have hurt. His own doubt often overwhelmed him, I am sure. Go calls the most unlikely people. All of us are unlikely people, some being outcasts, some broken and handicapped, others who are of the wrong color or class. Today's message to us all, is, that we are wanted and loved by God, not matter our condition or station.

Wondrous Creator, you draw near to your people

and do not reject those the world deems unworthy.

You call your disciples and saints from the crowd

of those who are cast out, cast off and rejected.

We know ourselves to be full of faults and sin

you know all our broken places and seek us out

your love seeks to always mend and welcome

you embrace the least among us with great joy.

May we turn from the glitter and the gloss

and seek you in every face and every clan

knowing you have made a home with us all

serving others as you would have us do today. Amen.