The evangelist, one of the Twelve, mentions in today’s Gospel passage how Jesus said to him: “Follow me” (Mt 9:9)!
A question is printed. What do the words: Follow me!?
God created man in the image and likeness of God, which is present in every human being. God endowed man with an immortal soul. Man is the only creature on earth that God wanted for himself. From conception, man is destined for eternal bliss. God himself determined the goal of man’s life on earth. With reason, he can understand the order established by the Creator, and with his will, he can direct himself to true good. Man finds his perfection in seeking and loving truth and goodness. Only man recognizes God’s voice with his reason, which urges him to do good and protect himself from evil. Every person is obliged to follow this law, which echoes in the conscience and is fulfilled in the love of God and neighbor. A moral life testifies to the dignity of the human person.
At the beginning of history, the man abused his freedom. He succumbed to the temptation of the Evil One and committed evil. The desire for good remains in man, but man’s nature is wounded by original sin – misleads and seduction. A dramatic struggle between good and evil occurs both in the individual and in the collective.
Jesus earned us a new life in the Holy Spirit through his suffering. His grace restores what sin has corrupted in us. Jesus called us brothers and sisters. Jesus wants us, united with him, to achieve the perfection of love, that is, holiness. He gives us an undeserved gift when he challenges us again and again, addresses us, and invites us: “Follow me!” (KKC 1700 – 1709).
Even with today’s words of the Lord Jesus, “Come follow me!”, we are shown love and trust, we receive hope, and we are offered the friendship of God. God himself shows us what is important and necessary for our salvation. Words Follow Me! they are truly a gift to each of us.
Matthew tells about himself when Jesus addressed him as a tax collector: Follow me! He had his occupation as a publican, for which he was hated and considered a sinner, especially by the leaders of the nation, because he collaborated with the Romans, from whom he secured the execution of this mission. He did not think that he could be a disciple of Jesus. And yet, one appeal – and a change in the whole way of life lived until then. He makes a strange decision. It confuses the certainty of life with uncertainty. Convenience for emergencies. Wealth for poverty. Matthew was not crazy when he left everything that meant something to him to address Jesus. He did not realize that he was sick and that Jesus was calling him to make him healthy and through him to heal others. Matthew did not know then that he would lay down his life for Jesus. He did not know that what he wrote from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, until the end of time, many – who believe in Christ – will read with hope, that his words will become a light for others in the darkness and uncertainty of life. Today we know that Matthew did not disappoint Jesus. He matured into a disciple in his school. Today, he is our role model and example of how to respond to the same invitation of Jesus: Follow me!
Jesus speaks the same to us. We can not hear, not want to hear, reject, not accept, not adopt the invitation. For fear? For the joys of this world? For our other life plans? Yes! Jesus invites us and leaves everyone free to decide. He leaves us reason, free will, and time. Something has to mature, something else cannot be delayed. Jesus often invites those who feel unprepared, unworthy, taken aback, arguing that they are unworthy, uneducated… He asks some to renounce permitted and pleasant things, those are the ones to the spiritual state. He asks others to remain in the world in a married or single state but to live in such a way as not to close the gate of eternal life. Everyone is addressed. No one is excluded from being invited and addressed. We all have our time, our irreplaceable place. We live only once. We are addressed in that spirit to fulfill the by which we each deserve an eternal reward. Even those who have never heard of God can be saved. When they lived their lives according to their best consciousness and conscience in doing good, truth, love, and justice. We received the teachings of Christ from childhood or in later years. Each one of us is given a proper role by God, who is no respecter of persons, but everyone who does justice is pleasing to him.
Vocation is connected with duties, and tasks that are determined directly by God in God’s commands and through the Church. Church orders are binding for us. Appropriate to age, position, and mission, our calling requires engagement in prayer, church life, fasting, acts of Christian love, and liturgy. God does not demand sacrifices from a man that would destroy human dignity or be beyond man’s strength. The mystery of the calling to serve God and people is one of the most fascinating mysteries. It is a mystery and incomprehensible criteria how God chooses or calls people to his vineyard. Matúš expresses it with the words: “The healthy do not need a doctor, but the sick… I want mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous, but “sinners” (Mt 9:12-13). When Peter becomes aware of the call, he pleads: “Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). When God calls, come follow me! most of the time, people are not aware of what they are called to do. It is mostly a dramatic event in his life. Especially when God speaks to young people, they need to have someone next to them who will guide them, shape them, explain them, teach them… If someone thinks of a career, a favorable social position, or the power of being well, they will recognize the reality very quickly. However, whoever answers positively with a pure heart, honestly, without speculating, giving conditions, will not be disappointed. Even later, the answer must not turn into mockery or contempt… because it can become part of the statement: “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Mt 22, 14). The call is not yet at the end but at the beginning. Ahead of him is a road he knows very little about. Vocation is a gift that makes the answer easier for him, for benefit, but also as a sign for people on earth and saints in heaven.
Ars parish priest St. John Vianney felt his profession was a heavy burden and a great responsibility. He ran away from Ars several times, out of fear of his wretchedness. And one parishioner said about him: “I think we are no better than other people in other parishes, but we are ashamed to sin when we see our holy priest.” We know when God is calling us – Come to me
! – that love is shown to us. Love should only be answered with love. To despise a gift invites punishment. It is up to each of us to give the answer that will guarantee us eternal life in God’s kingdom.
“Come to me!” – says God also through the mouth of the priest. And that is even today a reminder, a call, but also a request from God to each of us.
