Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi
sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving
everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet
for him in his house. – Lk. 5:27-28
Levi, who is also traditionally
known as the one of the four evangelist Matthew, is an ordinary figure in this
passage who does two extraordinary things. As a tax collector he is looked upon
in his community as an outcast, a sinner. He is not particularly special in his
station in life. And yet, Jesus calls him to discipleship. Levi’s first
reaction is swift and shows a tremendous amount of trust as he leaves
everything to follow Jesus. He does not even question his worthiness as some of
us may do. How many of us are able to follow through even a simple request
without at least analyzing it a little? But Levi does not stop there. He goes
on to throw a feast for Jesus in his house. He receives his calling as a gift
and expresses his gratitude with a grand gesture.
It was a while after college when I
accepted my discipleship, my calling to be a follower of Christ. Like others, I
sometimes felt a certain unworthiness. “Why Lord would you call me, a confused
person who often times is willfully disobedient and selfish?” At other times, I
may feel the extra burden and responsibility of living in a manner that I
perceived as acceptable to God. “There’s no way I can live up to that
standard.” And yet, I am called as I am. We are all called exactly as we are.
Levi is a wonderful model for us. He does not doubt nor makes excuses. Perhaps
before wondering about how we are to follow Christ, we may reflect on the gift
of this invitation to discipleship.
How may we express our gratitude to
be a disciple of Christ this Lenten season?
Reflected by Michael Jamnongjit
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