Scripture Basis
Matthew 9:9-13 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
How interesting and prophetic that the Apostle we are commemorating today was a tax collector. The subject of fair taxation has been a subject in American politics for a long time now. President Obama and the progressive democrats only want the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share so that Government programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Public Education, repairing and maintaining our infrastructure and so forth will be adequately funded. Republican and Tea Party folks do not want taxes raised suggesting that it affects the job creators.
The grim view of America's economy over the past 10 years suggests that when the wealthiest among us are given tax breaks so that they pay 15% while the middle class pays 35% of their income tax, jobs are not created. A look at where the unemployment rate is tells that story really well.
Matthew also known as Levi as he was not loved by the community around him. He was a tax collector who helped the Roman Empire collect money to help them line their pockets. The tax collectors were often known as the "Publicans". Interesting word that is missing the "Re" before it. They were understood to be so detestable that the Pharisees, quite well known for their own wealth and prestige, refused to marry into a family that had publicans as members.
Jesus called Matthew to repent of his sins as Jesus calls all of us. Jesus challenges us in the midst of our certainty of life and believing, to be willing to be redeemed again and again.
We are all raised by our respective families and communities to believe certain things, act in a particular way and think as others inspire us to think. The Christian religion is not a faith based on a stagnation of principles and morals. It is a relationship with God, through Jesus by which those who believe and worship as Christians are challenged to always learn things anew. UCC Pastor Oby Ballinger of Community United Church of Christ in St. Paul Park always points out the in the Bible "God is always doing something new."
The New Testament Reading for today's Commemoration 2 Timothy 3: 14-17 says:
This particular Scripture is a favorite for Christianists to defend Biblical literalism and using it to dehumanize the poor, women, people of different races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identity/expression etc. Such a position assumes that any Christian or non-Christian for that matter who seeks to understand what the Bible means beyond how it is interpreted by Christianists are not heading Jesus' call to Matthew to repent and follow him. This kind of use is incorrect and misleading.
The repentance Jesus calls Matthew to, Jesus calls all Christians to. A repentance from the understanding that religion is not a weapon of mass destruction, nor is it an excuse for the injustice encouraged by the corruption of capitalism or racism, class discrimination, the termination of Troy Davis a black innocent man in Georgia. The Christian religion does not condone the violence of gender discrimination or heterosexism, and immigration bias.
On the issue of capitalism Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite wrote in a Washington Post article:
The repentance Jesus invites Matthew and all who follow him, is a call to recognize and reverence God's presence and redemption in everyone including those who are different from ourselves.
Matthew responded to that message and allowed himself to be taught to live a different life than the one he lived. Living only for himself and not for others. Matthew received the grace of God to be able to continue learning all the God had planned for him and the Church. Particularly those whom society and the Church sets on the sidelines not to be bothered with, but chastised through violent rhetoric and behavior.
God calls the Church and society to recognize the social diseases that continue to harm communities all around us today. Jesus calls us to follow him, with compassion and a commitment to justice and equality for all of God's people.
Prayers
Matthew 9:9-13 (NRSV)
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."
Blog Reflection
How interesting and prophetic that the Apostle we are commemorating today was a tax collector. The subject of fair taxation has been a subject in American politics for a long time now. President Obama and the progressive democrats only want the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share so that Government programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Public Education, repairing and maintaining our infrastructure and so forth will be adequately funded. Republican and Tea Party folks do not want taxes raised suggesting that it affects the job creators.
The grim view of America's economy over the past 10 years suggests that when the wealthiest among us are given tax breaks so that they pay 15% while the middle class pays 35% of their income tax, jobs are not created. A look at where the unemployment rate is tells that story really well.
Matthew also known as Levi as he was not loved by the community around him. He was a tax collector who helped the Roman Empire collect money to help them line their pockets. The tax collectors were often known as the "Publicans". Interesting word that is missing the "Re" before it. They were understood to be so detestable that the Pharisees, quite well known for their own wealth and prestige, refused to marry into a family that had publicans as members.
Jesus called Matthew to repent of his sins as Jesus calls all of us. Jesus challenges us in the midst of our certainty of life and believing, to be willing to be redeemed again and again.
We are all raised by our respective families and communities to believe certain things, act in a particular way and think as others inspire us to think. The Christian religion is not a faith based on a stagnation of principles and morals. It is a relationship with God, through Jesus by which those who believe and worship as Christians are challenged to always learn things anew. UCC Pastor Oby Ballinger of Community United Church of Christ in St. Paul Park always points out the in the Bible "God is always doing something new."
The New Testament Reading for today's Commemoration 2 Timothy 3: 14-17 says:
As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
This particular Scripture is a favorite for Christianists to defend Biblical literalism and using it to dehumanize the poor, women, people of different races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identity/expression etc. Such a position assumes that any Christian or non-Christian for that matter who seeks to understand what the Bible means beyond how it is interpreted by Christianists are not heading Jesus' call to Matthew to repent and follow him. This kind of use is incorrect and misleading.
The repentance Jesus calls Matthew to, Jesus calls all Christians to. A repentance from the understanding that religion is not a weapon of mass destruction, nor is it an excuse for the injustice encouraged by the corruption of capitalism or racism, class discrimination, the termination of Troy Davis a black innocent man in Georgia. The Christian religion does not condone the violence of gender discrimination or heterosexism, and immigration bias.
On the issue of capitalism Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite wrote in a Washington Post article:
The repentance Jesus invites Matthew and all who follow him, is a call to recognize and reverence God's presence and redemption in everyone including those who are different from ourselves.
Matthew responded to that message and allowed himself to be taught to live a different life than the one he lived. Living only for himself and not for others. Matthew received the grace of God to be able to continue learning all the God had planned for him and the Church. Particularly those whom society and the Church sets on the sidelines not to be bothered with, but chastised through violent rhetoric and behavior.
God calls the Church and society to recognize the social diseases that continue to harm communities all around us today. Jesus calls us to follow him, with compassion and a commitment to justice and equality for all of God's people.
Prayers
We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 244).
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 826).
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