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When reading the Gospels, it doesn't take long to see how tax collectors were viewed by the people. For example, Jesus, "sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples" (Matthew 9:10).
Why is that?
Pope Benedict XVI offers an excellent summary in his general audience reflection on St. Matthew the Apostle.
As a result, when Jesus invited Matthew to become his disciple, it would have shocked everyone around him. Jesus invited a "sinner" to become part of his inner circle.
This is good news for all of us, as Pope Benedict XVI points out.
When reflecting on the call of Matthew, we should see within it God calling us, sinners, to a personal friendship with him. Even if we think that God could never love us because of our sins, Matthew's example reminds us that this is not true.
God always loves us and calls out to us, inviting us to walk with him, no matter how sinful we might be.
