His Word Today: Follow me

Michelangelo da Caravaggio
The Calling of Saint Matthew

Good morning everyone,

Today, the gospel recounts the encounter between Jesus and Levi (the one who we know as Matthew).  Saint Mark's account of this meeting would have us believe that it happened by chance: As Jesus passed by, he saw Levi ... sitting at the customs post, and said to him, 'Follow me' (Mk 2:14).

When Mark says that Jesus passed by, this was no accident.  We would be better to understand this encounter as part of Jesus' plan.  Jesus knew Levi's heart perhaps even better than he himself knew it.  Jesus knew all of Matthew's potential, he knew all of his dreams, he knew the many ways in which he had tried to hide from the truth.  Despite all the walls that Matthew may have built up through the years, there was still a heart beating within him, a place where he was once loved and accepted for who he was.  Jesus saw all of this ... and Jesus loved him.

Jesus sees all of us in the same way.  He sees beyond all the disguises that we may try to put on in order to shield ourselves from other people's judgements.  Jesus sees our hearts and always loves what he sees.  Jesus sees our potential and believes that we can be the best, most loving persons possible.  Jesus sees all of this and wants to help us see and believe these things about ourselves.  This is why he said to Levi: Follow me (Mk 2:14).  Jesus also invites us to follow him, to make ourselves vulnerable in his presence, to allow him to help us reach our potential, even to exceed it.

Are we willing to surrender control and to allow Jesus to teach us, to form us, to make us more and more every day into his beloved disciples ... to teach us how to recognize within ourselves the same tender merciful heart that beats within Him?

Have a great day.