Until we get there

Feast Saint Matthew, Apostle – Eph 4:1-7,11-13; Psalm 18:2-5; Matthew 9:9-13

In Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Calling of Saint Matthew, the tax collector stares down at his coins. Many see greed here. But is it?

By Matthew chapter nine, Jesus’ fame was already soaring. Matthew surely heard of the miracles. Facing the Lord, did he really feel greed – or was it a sudden, piercing shame? Perhaps we are witnessing the first quiet stirrings of repentance.

We often trap people in their past, seeing only their weaknesses. But Jesus sees our eternal potential. He dines with sinners not to condone sin, but to transform it, leading us to:

• Unity in faith

• True repentance

• The “fullness of Christ”

In the Mass, we thank God for holding us worthy to stand in His presence. He sees who we can become through His grace.

Lord Jesus, let me follow You like Matthew – without calculating, but swept up by the ardent desire to remain with You. Amen.