Today's Gospel

Just Follow the Lord

Welcome back to Radical and Relevant, where each day we explore the genius of the gospel, looking for a word or a phrase or an idea that jumps out at us, that the Holy Spirit uses to capture our imagination, grab our attention so that we can anchor our life that day in the Word of God. Today's reading comes from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9, verses 9 through 13. "As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, 'Follow me,' and he rose and followed him. And as he sat at a table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, 'Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?' But when he heard it, 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 and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." What jumps out at you? Obviously, the reading has a special meaning to me. It's one obviously I've heard since I was a kid.

And what has struck me over and over and over throughout the years, what has been an inspiration to me over and over throughout the years is just the simple call of Matthew. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." And the next words are, "And he rose and followed him." It's immediate. It's beautiful. It's inspiring. It's simple. Jesus says, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. Wish I could say the same, but very often when God has called to me in my life, I have been resistant. I've had doubts. I've had questions. I've delayed. I've avoided. I've so many things. But the reading today, another reminder, another inspiration, whatever God is calling us to, this moment in our lives, let's stand up and follow Him. Do it quickly without hesitation immediately, without excuse, without delay, without resistance. Just follow the Lord. Have a great day and remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.