November 16 is dedicated to the memory of Apostle and Evangelist Matthew. The Gospel reading of the day (Matthew 9:9–13) refers to the calling of Matthew himself by Christ:

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.”

The scene is short, almost austere in its simplicity, yet it contains a profound theological message: Christ calls the human being at the very point of everyday life, even when that person lives within a professional or moral condition considered sinful or socially despised. Jesus does not choose those who appear righteous, but those whose hearts are open to repentance and transformation.

To grasp the power of this moment, we need to understand who the “tax collectors” were. In first-century Judea, under Roman rule, taxes were not collected directly by the state. The Romans leased out the right to collect taxes to private contractors — the publicani — who paid an agreed sum to the imperial treasury in advance and then collected more from the people to secure their profit.

The lower officials of this system were the local tax collectors, like Matthew in Capernaum. Their task was to collect customs duties on goods passing through trade routes and checkpoints. Capernaum, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, was such a transit point between the Decapolis and Galilee. Thus, Matthew worked at a public customs house, collecting taxes on behalf of Herod Antipas — and, indirectly, for Rome.

Among the Jews, tax collectors were regarded as traitors and sinners. They were often accused of exploitation and injustice, since many demanded more than what was legally required for personal gain. For this reason, in the Gospels, “tax collectors” are frequently mentioned together with “prostitutes” as examples of people estranged from God’s law.

Within this context, Christ’s words — “Follow Me” — take on extraordinary weight. There is no preface or condition; it is a call of absolute freedom. Christ sees in Matthew not a dishonest official, but a person capable of receiving God’s grace and truth.

Matthew’s response is immediate: “And he rose and followed him.” The verb “rose” signifies not merely physical movement but also a resurrection from spiritual death — a passage from greed to discipleship, from self-interest to generosity. This inner transformation is the essence of salvation.

The story continues with a meal in Matthew’s house, where Christ dines with “tax collectors and sinners.” The Pharisees respond with disapproval, and Jesus answers with the words that summarize the Gospel:

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

This passage reminds us that the life of faith begins wherever we hear the voice of Christ in the midst of our ordinary routines. God does not call the “perfect,” but the willing. Matthew left the security of his profession and entered the path of discipleship, yet his calling was not a loss — it was the discovery of meaning and true life.

The story of this former tax collector, who became both Apostle and Evangelist, remains a message of hope for every person. Christ does not dwell on the past but sees the human potential for love and renewal. The invitation “Follow Me” remains ever timely; it is a call to transform our workplace, our daily life, even our sins, into a place of encounter with God.

+ Metropolitan Nektarios of Hong Kong and South East Asia