"...He saw a man called Matthew" (Matt. 9:9).
The Dutch painter Terbrugghen has provided deep insight into the calling of St. Matthew. The painting shows Jesus pointing at Matthew from close range. We can almost hear the words, "Follow Me" (Matt. 9:9). Matthew is shown pointing at himself. Clearly he is thinking, "Who, me? You must be joking." And so the very center of the painting features two fingers: Christ's and Matthew's.
Because Matthew was a tax collector and "sinner," he considered himself a most unlikely candidate. To Christ, this made him a natural choice. "For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matt. 9:13).
Christ calls you to follow Him and His Word. You are permitted sometimes to wonder, but never to doubt it. The decision is Christ's - all Christ's! We gain the ability to share the forgiveness of sins with others only after learning, and remembering, that it applies to us.
God used Matthew to write the very first book of the New Testament. Through Matthew, we have the beautiful and life-giving words, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). Remember your Baptism. It is your call to follow. God will use you today.
Who, me?
Yes, you!
