Today’s readings center us on the heart of the Gospel: mercy and forgiveness. Jesus says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Often, our Lord does call us to sacrifice and penance—not because He needs them, but because we do. Through them, we willfully unite our sufferings to His Cross and participate in the mystery of redemption. But today, Christ redirects our attention. He shifts our hearts away from sacrifice and toward mercy—His mercy.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the Gospel scene where Jesus calls Matthew, the tax collector, to become His disciple. A man despised by his community, Matthew is precisely the sort of person many would expect Jesus to avoid. But Jesus declares: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” This is the beauty of mercy—it teaches that everyone is invited into God’s ocean to swim.
The Calling of a Sinner
Caravaggio, a favorite artist of mine, painted a beautiful masterpiece of the Calling of St. Matthew. In it, Caravaggio brings his signature gifts of light and darkness in a visual dramatization of God calling the sinner out of darkness. Matthew sits counting his coins while Christ, with St Peter beside Him, extends his arm and points directly at Matthew unaware yet of Christ’s presence. Those sitting around Matthew are struck with awe as this dimly lit and dirty back room, possibly the bar of the day, lights up with the divine presence.( If you look closely, Caravaggio, as many Renaissance artists, paints a faint halo above Christ’s head, depicting Him as the holy one.) Christ stands while the others sit clearly demonstrating his determinate purpose and authority in this space: to Call Matthew.
Moreover, Peter is standing beside Him, the only other apostle in the scene, reinforcing the sacred mission. As we just celebrated the solemnity of St. Peter, this detail gains special resonance—Peter, the rock of the Church, already sharing in Christ’s work of calling sinners home.
If you look closely, you will notice that Matthew is not even sure he is the one being called. He points to himself as if to ask, “Me?” His companions appear stunned, perhaps even pointing toward Matthew in disbelief: “Him?” But Christ’s facial expression and gesture are unambiguous. He has come into this dark space with a clear and purposeful mercy—to call Matthew, the lost sheep, to Himself.
Once Matthew realizes who is calling him, his heart is changed. Like Zacchaeus in another Gospel scene, he is forgiven and transformed. Mercy has touched him, and he rises to follow the One who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
Christ calls each of us in the same way
Perhaps there is something in your heart you think is beyond forgiveness—an addiction, a broken relationship, or a past sin. Maybe you have felt too far gone. But this Gospel is for you. That light in Caravaggio’s painting—that divine mercy streaming from Jesus—is meant for you. Imagine yourself in Matthew’s place. Christ is pointing at you. He knows your name, and He is calling you to rise and follow Him.
The Psalm today says it plainly: “His mercy endures forever.” Not just today, not just when we feel worthy—forever.
Confession: The Call of Mercy
A priest once told me: “Anyone is only one confession away from full union with God.” Isn’t that incredible? No matter what you have done, no matter how long it has been, He waits for you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He is not angry. He has excited you have come.
When was the last time you went to confession? Did you have a painful experience that made you wary of returning? Do you know someone who has? If so, ask for the grace to forgive that wound. Then try again. The Lord desires to meet you there, in that sacred space of healing and reunion. Confession is not about shame—it is about mercy.
Today, I encourage you to print out or look up Caravaggio’s Calling of St. Matthew and place it where you pray. On days you feel unloved or forgotten, look at it again. Let Christ’s light in the painting speak to you. Hear Him say your name.
Maybe you are being called not only to receive mercy but also to give it. Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask the Lord to flood your heart with His grace, so you can extend His light to that person.
The Gospel concludes with a clear invitation: “Go and learn the meaning of the words: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” Let that be your prayer today. That you may know His mercy, live in it, and extend it freely to others.
May your day be filled with the peace and abundance of Christ’s love. “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
[Readings: Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67; Matthew 9:9-13]
Thank you for such a nicely drafted Reflection. Like you, I love Caravaggio’s paintings and their ability to penetrate the scene and plant differing meditative suggestions. I really appreciated how you masterly weaved the suggestive attributes of the painting into the theme of of your overall reflection. Thank you once again. Beautifully done and a blessing to me, and no doubt all who read and reflect on it. God Bless.
Thank you Jerry for your kind words. I’m so glad the meditation brought you into conversation with God through one of his gifted artists. Caravaggio truly was a master of light in his works. So many of them brings the viewer into the heart of conversion and contemplation. I hope you have a blessed week.