By: Bro. Nouy Khamhou, C. Ss. R. | Province of Thailand
In today's Gospel, we hear the story of the call of Matthew. Jesus is walking by the tax office when he sees Matthew. Jesus simply says to him, "Follow me." And Matthew gets up and follows him.
This is a remarkable story. Tax collectors in those days were hated and despised. They were seen as collaborators with the Roman occupiers, and they were often corrupt and dishonest. But Jesus sees something different in Matthew. He sees a man who is lost and in need of salvation. And he calls Matthew to follow him.
Matthew's response is just as remarkable. He gets up and follows Jesus immediately. He doesn't ask any questions. He doesn't hesitate. He simply trusts that Jesus knows what is best for him.
This story is a powerful reminder of God's love and mercy for all of us, no matter who we are or what we have done. God sees us for who we truly are, and he loves us unconditionally. He calls us to follow him, and he promises to give us a new life in him. We all have our own Matthew moments in life. These are the moments when God calls us to follow him in a new way. Maybe he is calling you and me to leave behind a sinful lifestyle.
Maybe he is calling you and me to forgive someone who has wronged us. Maybe he is calling you or us to serve him in a new way. Whatever God is calling us to do, I encourage you also to respond as Matthew
did. Get up and follow him. Trust that he knows what is best for us. And let his love and mercy transform our lives.
In the second part of the Gospel passage, Jesus is eating with Matthew and other tax collectors, and Pharisees call them a sinner. The Pharisees see this, and they are scandalized. They say to Jesus' disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus hears their question, and he responds, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do." Jesus is saying that he has come for those who are lost and in need of salvation. He has come for the sinners, not for the righteous.
This is another powerful reminder of God's love and mercy for all of us. God does not come to judge us or to condemn us. He comes to save us. He comes to offer us his forgiveness and his healing love. If you are feeling lost or broken today, I want to encourage not only you but also myself
to come to Jesus. He is the Divine Physician who can heal our wounds and make us whole.
He is the one who can forgive our sins and give us a new life.
Brothers as we come to Jesus and follow him. For sure He will never disappoint us. This is a powerful call to action. It is an invitation to experience the love and grace of God and to live a life that is in accordance with his will.
When we come to Jesus, we are essentially saying that we trust him with our lives. We are acknowledging that we are sinners and that we need his forgiveness. We are also saying that we want to follow him and to live our lives in a way that brings him glory.
Jesus promised that he would never disappoint those who come to him and follow him. He said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He also said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). When we follow Jesus, we can be sure that he will lead us in the right direction. He will
help us to overcome our challenges, and he will give us the strength to live a life that is pleasing to him.
- Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy our deepest needs. He is the only one who can give us true peace and joy.
- When we come to Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins, and we are given a new life.
- Following Jesus is not always easy, but it is always worth it. He is the best leader we could ever ask for.
- Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us. He is with us every step of the way.
Amen.
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