December 20–Sts. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Patriarchs

Icon of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by Legacy Icons.

We don’t normally think of Old Testament figures as saints, but they are! When Jesus was crucified and died he descended into “hell” but not the hell of the damned, rather, the abode of the dead, also known as Hades in Greek and Sheol in Hebrew. There those who awaited the Resurrection were in, what is called, the bosom of Abraham. If we remember the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31), Jesus tells of Lazarus resting with Abraham, who is clearly seen as being in a place of comfort and rest. “It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Savior in Abraham’s bosom, whom Christ the Lord delivered when he descended into hell” (CCC, 633).

Thus, Abraham, our father in faith, Isaac, the son of promise, and Jacob, who is called Israel, “one who contended with God,” were delivered from the abode of the dead and are now living in Heaven. These patriarchs, along with their wives, the matriarchs Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel, brought forth a new people, the nation of Israel, who became the people of the covenant under Moses. Then a new covenant was established with David, which promised a Messiah with an everlasting kingship from his house. Further, a final covenant was promised through the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, which would bring about everlasting peace and salvation through Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In this season of Advent it’s worthwhile to remember our spiritual ancestors who prepared the way of the Lord. Let us learn from their faith, hope, and love. Let us imitate their perseverance, resilience, and fortitude. Let us go forth sharing the joy of our salvation through Jesus Christ. Saints Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel, pray for us!

September 21--St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

"TAX COLLECTOR!"  The word itself sounds like an insult.  Jesus even used the word as an insult when he spoke of the process of correcting a brother who sins:  "If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector" (Mt. 18:17).  And yet Jesus chose Matthew, a TAX COLLECTOR, to be an apostle.  Surely, someone could have warned him that choosing a TAX COLLECTOR would not be good for his public image.  But Jesus did not choose Matthew for image.  He chose him because Matthew fit into his plan of salvation for the world.

Matthew wrote his Gospel for a community of Gentile and Jewish Christians.  He wanted to show how Jesus was the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the Old Testament.  Jesus was the new lawgiver greater than Moses; he was the new king greater than David.  He fulfilled the covenant promised to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through Abraham when the Magi from different lands brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh after Jesus' birth

Apostle, evangelist, and yes, former tax collector.  Matthew does not focus on his own deficiencies, but rather on the grace of God.  Matthew gives us the version of the Our Father with which we are most familiar.  It reminds us to "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."  That means forgiving our enemies, our friends, our family, and even ourselves.  Matthew took the insult of tax collector and turned it into an opportunity for grace offered by Jesus.