You’re Choosing Me?

Today’s gospel passage is the call of Matthew. Did you know tax collectors had to auction for the position? Chosen for the job by Roman authorities, Matthew may have been quite self-satisfied when landing the job. Then he heard a call to another career. Jesus wanted Matthew to be a disciple. What did Matthew think?  “Is Jesus calling me because I can read and write and keep ledgers? Which job will be more satisfying: collecting taxes or following Jesus with my skills his band of followers will need?”  The gospel says, “He got up and followed him.” That’s the same response we can make today.