By Anthony Jayaraj csc –
Readings: Eph 4:1-7,11-13; Mt 9: 9-13
“Follow me” is an invitation Jesus extends to each one of us as he did to Matthew, the evangelist. Matthew was a passionate tax collector who was committed to his job. He knew that his people hated him for his job. Perhaps he must have regarded himself with the eyes of the rest of the society as a cruel person and a sinner.
However, Jesus invited him to a deeper relationship which was non-judgmental. His call made the tax collector feel that he was worth more than his job, his status, his weakness, his credibility, his family, and his personality. Jesus renewed a relationship that was so radical and profound that any conventional society would not agree and accept it easily.
Today, I am invited to feel the worth of the choice that I have made to be committed to a life of service, love, and companionship. It was difficult for me to choose a lifestyle and be committed to it among many different lifestyles in the face of rapid social changes. Yet I believe that commitment transcends ambiguity and nurtures love in any relationship for that matter. It is a real challenge when I feel upright, successful, well-off, and insensitive to the needy, sick, sinful, and sorrowful.
In such contexts, Jesus would say to me, “Follow me”, so as to make me aware of the need to be merciful, compassionate, loving, and non-judgmental in life especially to those with whom I share my life. In accordance with the exhortation of St. Paul, am I ready for a life that I have chosen to live and be committed to it?