As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the master of my life. I desire only to answer your call to be your apostle, that I may follow you wherever you lead me. I trust you, my Lord, and I trust wherever you ask me to follow you. I love you above all else and I place my life in your hands.

Petition: Lord, increase my trust in you.

1. He saw a man called Matthew. Christ sees each one of us and walks by the tax booth of each of our lives. He knows us, better than we know ourselves. He looks us in the eyes with love, and there in his eyes we can see the great hope that he has for each of us. As he sees us, he sees us not only as we are but especially as we can be, and will be if we cooperate with his grace. He sees our present make-up and the future hope we bring. He looks at us with the hope that we shall lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called" (cfr. Ephesians 4:1). He looks to bring people closer to him. He looks at us and gazes into our eyes so that we might see him and find the fulfillment of our lives in him. He sees us so that we may come together around him (CCC, 542).

2. He said to him, "Follow me". Christ stands at the heart of this gathering of men into the family of God (CCC, 542). Christ seeks to draw everyone to himself, because only with him is one truly happy. We can run after the latest pleasure, the newest fad, the hottest trend, but what happiness will that bring us? There is nothing greater, more fulfilling, more challenging, more exciting, than that of following our Lord. When our Lord says, Follow me, he is inviting us to go out into deep water. His invitation is a challenge and an opportunity to be really fulfilled in life. Nothing can compare with the invitation of our Lord. Whatever gains I had these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:7-8).

3. And he got up and followed him. Our heart is restless, until it rests in you, (St. Augustine, Confessions, 1.1.1) But only the one who takes up the invitation to follow Christ experiences the depth and truth of this experience of Christ, because to experience him as he is we have to leave everything else aside. One who responds to the invitation of Christ has responded to the greatest invitation imaginable. Anyone who has truly gotten up and sincerely followed Christ will find that Christ does not let us down, and feels compelled to invite other to have the same experience. Matthew was so taken by Christ that he had a special meal with his friends to introduce them to the Master. No one can bring greater joy into ones life than Christ. He is the meaning of our lives. Getting up to follow him, leaving the tax booth behind, brings to a soul the greatest possible happiness, for Christ is the fulfillment of life.

Conversation: Lord Jesus, what a great joy it is to follow you. I offer you the homage of my faith, because it sometimes does not feel that way, for yours is also the narrow and difficult path and it takes faith to believe that it leads to life. But any renunciation involved brings me closer to you, and you are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Help me to say yes to your invitation, for I am poor and weak, and I just cant imagine the happiness to which you are calling me.  Lord, in these moments, help me to rise up and match the measure of your love with the measure of my hope. 

Questionnaire:

1. How does the thought of Christ looking at me and knowing me by name help me in my prayer?
 
2. Do I read the Gospel asking him what he wants of me and learning his example?

3. How quick am I to do what I know Christ would prefer of me in each moment?