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| St. Matthew by Caravaggio |
“Matthew,
the author of the first of the four Gospels, was a publican – a
tax-collector – and the story of his call to become an Apostle reminds
us that Christ excludes no one from his friendship.
Tax-collectors
were considered public sinners, and we can hear an echo of the scandal
caused by the Lord’s decision to associate with such men in his
declaration that he came "not to call the just but sinners"
(Mt 2:17).
(Mt 2:17).
This
is the heart of the "good news" which Jesus came to bring: the offer of
God’s grace to sinners! The parable of the publican in the Temple makes
this same point: by humbly acknowledging their sins and accepting God’s
mercy, even those who seem farthest from holiness can become first in
the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Benedict XVI, General Audience, 20 August 2006.
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