SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (FEAST)

Follow me. 

In today’s Gospel, we read about the day Matthew’s journey of discipleship began. Jesus called him away from his customs post, and Matthew did not delay. Abandoning his job, his livelihood, and his money, Matthew left everything and began to follow Jesus.

Matthew’s wholehearted response shows us how we can react when the Lord calls us to follow him, whether for the first time or the hundredth. Leaving his station was only Matthew’s first step. After spending the day with Jesus, Matthew invited him to his home to share a meal (Luke 5:29). He decided to follow Jesus, and he continued following him all the way to his passion. Then, after meeting the risen Lord and being filled with the Holy Spirit, Matthew went on to preach the good news perhaps as far away as Persia.

As we can see from the Gospel that bears his name, Matthew gradually shed the trappings of his old life and began to “live in a manner worthy of the call” he had received (Ephesians 4:1). This process of conversion took time: time spent with Jesus and time to mature. And that’s just as true for us as it was for Matthew.

Jesus called us by name at our baptism, and he continues to call us to follow him each day. As he did with Matthew, he asks us to drop what we’re doing and take that first step. He invites us to listen to what he’s saying and discover what it means for our lives. Then, as we spend time with him, our attachments to sin and our desires for worldly comforts begin to decrease. Our love for Jesus and God’s people begins to grow. And so does our desire to invite him into our “homes,” our daily lives.

Jesus longs to set you free so that you can love and serve him as Matthew did. He will gladly come into your life more deeply if you invite him. Who knows how God might use you as a witness to his love? But your journey along the path of conversion begins with a simple step taken each day. So imitate Matthew’s wholehearted yes, and let Jesus lead you so that you can live a life worthy of his call.

“Jesus, I want to follow you today and every day.”

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Psalm 19:2-5
Matthew 9:9-13

WORD AMONG US