"Follow Me"

Homily for the Feast of St. Matthew

Today’s reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians raises questions about what it means to live as a Christian. Paul calls us to “live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” He provides guidance that this worthiness will include humility and gentleness, patience that bears with one another in love, and striving to preserve unity and peace. Such conduct is a tall order in a world where deeply flawed humanity dwells. Paul then tells us how this is possible: “But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” That is a big measure of grace, to be sure. But will that grace be enough?

There is only one way to discover the answer to that question. We have to try living with humility and gentleness and patience in order to discover the graces that are offered to us. Human wills are involved, but this is not an exercise of “fake it until we make it.” Grace is available for us through the sacraments, from prayer and the Word, and from help shared with one another. Too often we behave like little children who run off to pout when they don’t get their way. Paul is calling us to behave like adults.

The story of the call of the apostle Matthew is such a confrontation with grace. Through his invitation to follow him, Jesus makes the grace of conversion present for Matthew. The invitation is really quite simple, just two words: “Follow me.” Immediately after the invitation, the scene shifts to a gathering in Matthew’s home. Matthew and his comrades and friends find themselves in the presence of grace. All that is necessary is their willingness to embrace that grace.

Michelangelo Caravaggio painted his vision of the gathering at Matthew’s home. In this painting, the arm of Jesus is extended and his index finger is pointing at Matthew. On the other side of the canvas, we see Matthew seated with his friends and fellow tax collectors. The question is visible on his face. In addition, the index finger of his right hand is pointed at himself. Matthew seems to be asking, “Are you calling me?” This visual representation of this very familiar Gospel story is quite stunning because it evokes that question in the mind of the viewer. “Is Jesus calling me?” The lesson from the Letter to the Ephesians answers that question positively. We are all called to follow Jesus even though we, like Matthew, are sinners.

The grace that is available to us today in this sacrament and in this proclamation of the Good News is conferred on each and every one of us. Like Matthew, we find ourselves in the presence of grace; and as was the case with Matthew, all that is necessary is our willingness to embrace that grace.