Today is March 8, the Saturday after Ash Wednesday.
At today’s Mass, we hear: “Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them” (Lk 5:27-29).
The scene moves quickly. Before Matthew knows it, his life is changed forever. Jesus enters Matthew’s life with two simple words: “Follow me.” This short phrase hits Matthew like a thunderbolt, causing him to leave everything behind and follow Jesus immediately.
But the effects of these thunderous words are not limited to Matthew. They send shockwaves throughout his life, even sending reverberations to his friends. The Gospel tells us that others felt the presence of Jesus through Matthew. Other tax collectors and sinners were drawn to Jesus through Matthew’s conversion. By the end of this gospel, Matthew’s home is filled with his friends from his past life as they come to dine with Jesus.
‘Follow me’
In Lent, we hear these words spoken to each of us: “Follow me.” As we enter the desert, Jesus invites each of us to renew our commitment to him as his disciple. This means deeper conversion of heart and a more radical state of mind that is determined to fight sin and grow in virtue so as to be made stronger and holier as children of God.
As we see in the conversion of Matthew, our conversions do not go unnoticed by those around us. The words “follow me” resound through our lives and become an invitation to our family and friends. Those around us should see in our lives that something has changed. Through us, others encounter the work of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray,
Almighty ever-living God, look with compassion on our weakness and ensure us your protection by stretching forth the right hand of your majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
