If you happen to enter the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, Caravaggio’s genius offers the visitor a view of The Calling of Matthew. It comes alive in all its dramatic force. It is well worth the time spent contemplating this painting, a form of graphic catechetical piece that recalls today’s gospel on the feast of Levi, the tax collector who became an apostle.
I would like to cite part of the explanation provided by the Caravaggio website, since the critic really captures the mystery displayed on the painting: “The picture is divided into two parts. The standing figures on the right form a vertical rectangle; those gathered around the table on the left a horizontal block. The costumes reinforce the contrast. Levi and his subordinates, who are involved in affairs of this world, are dressed in a contemporary mode. Meanwhile the barefoot Christ and Saint Peter, who summon Levi to another life and world, appear in timeless cloaks. The two groups are also separated by a void, bridged literally and symbolically by Christ’s hand. This hand, like Adam’s in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, unifies the two parts formally and psychologically. Underlying the shallow stage-like space of the picture is a grid pattern of verticals and horizontals, which knit it together structurally”.2
The Calling
Further, the bars on the window are a reminder of the Cross, which in itself brings light to our lives. The light in the painting comes in as Christ enters the scene. It is a light from another world to illuminate ours, often in darkness.
The Lord continues to call every one of us from a horizontal life dedicated to worldly affairs to the only business that really matters, the ‘vertical’ business of the salvation of our souls. Moreover, the sick need the Physician, sinners need the Savior, and we all are in that category.
If you come to the Eternal City (Rome), do not miss this masterpiece. It is accompanied by two others, the martyrdom and the inspiration of St. Matthew, also by Caravaggio.
Happy feast day of St. Matthew. God bless you all.
1 From https://www.caravaggio.org/the-calling-of-saint-mathew.jsp, accessed September 11, 2021. On their website: Courtesy of www.Caravaggio.org
2 Ibidem.
Loved the Caravaggio contemplation. Thank you
Good to hear you liked it.
God bless,
Fr. Marcelo
I am certainly impressed with the explicit description of the masterpiece work of art! Fr. Munoz explained the details in such a way that I could feel the presence of being in the room.
Thank you. Happy to hear you liked it.
Fr. Marcelo
Father Marcelo, thank you for inviting us to reflect on this extraordinary painting! I love this piece by Caravaggio and have a copy of it in my home. Meditating on it draws us into the power of being called into faith. I like your observation that we are called out of the horizontal to the verticality of spiritual life.
I remember visiting that church many years ago while traveling in Rome, and hope to see it again. God bless.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
God bless,
Fr. Marcelo