Day 7

The Gospel reading today presents us with “the call” to follow Christ. How many times have we heard the call not only in Scripture but in our lives? When we needed help—help that we couldn’t give or do for ourselves due to our addiction, unhealthy attachments, or compulsion—we cried out in suffering and anguish. And when we did, we heard the call to follow Christ and that He will take on our burdens.

Yet, we might wonder, “Why does Christ care about me and care to lift my burdens of sinfulness and addictive behaviors?” Jesus tells us today that He came precisely for us, the sick and sinful: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). Christ’s love for us and acceptance of who we are and where we have been is an amazing grace. So, let us quietly listen to our Lord and Savior in prayer today for His call. And, upon hearing it, let us answer by following Him in love and service.

Reflection Questions

• Think of a time when Jesus called you and you ignored it. What was going on in your life that prevented you from hearing or responding to His call?
• Take time to sit and listen, meditate and pray. What burden in your life can you hand over to Jesus today? How can you walk with freedom and peace in His love today?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

Reflection by Byron M.

(First century) — Matthew, aka Levi, a Roman tax collector and son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27-29), was from Capernaum on Lake Genesareth. He wrote the Gospel according to Matthew to convince Jews that Jesus was the anticipated Messiah. Matthew preached among Jews in Judea and other countries, possibly in Ethiopia. According to tradition, he was martyred in Ethiopia at the altar after rebuking the King there for lust-related sin. Matthew is often depicted in art as the winged man, one of the four living creatures surrounding God’s throne in Revelation 4:7.

Jesus called, and Matthew (Levi) immediately answered (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, and Luke 5:27). Are we making space to hear God’s voice (Step 11), seeking “through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God”? Once we hear Him, do we respond (Step 11 and 3)? Are we “praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out”?

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9).

Reflection by Brad Farmer