The Calling of Matthew

No fixed feast day in the calendar

Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector and teaches that he came to save sinners.

Jesus calls a tax collector and dines with sinners

While passing by, Jesus saw Levi (Matthew) sitting at the tax office. Despite the social contempt for tax collectors, Jesus looked at him with love and invited him: "Follow me." Matthew stood up, left everything, and followed him. Later, he hosted a great feast at his home, where many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus. The Pharisees criticized him for eating with those considered unclean. Jesus replied with a powerful truth: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." This is the heart of God's mercy, showing that the Kingdom is open to all who repent.

Prayer

Mercy reaches out to every sinner

Jesus excludes no one. Even those society despises he looks upon with love and calls to himself.
God loves sinners and longs for their return. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
We are called to live out mercy. Rather than judging, we open our arms to welcome those who have strayed back to God.

Jesus came to seek and heal the hearts of those who are lost.

Prayer

Lord, have mercy on me a sinner, and help me to accept your mercy so that I may love others.

The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.