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TODAY’S WORD…

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As Jesus went on from [Capernaum],

He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth.

“Follow me,” He told him,

and Matthew got up and followed Him.

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– Matthew 9:9 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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It is not man who takes the initiative;

it is Jesus who calls,

and man who responds to this call through a free personal decision.

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Matthew’s promptitude in "following" Jesus’ call is to be noted.

Jesus calls him in the midst of the ordinary circumstances of his life,

as He does with each and every one of us,

intensifying His call when He sees us moving away from Him.

The Lord never gives up on us.

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But when God speaks, the soul may be tempted to reply,

"Tomorrow; I’m not ready yet."

In the last analysis,

this excuse and other excuses

are nothing but a sign of selfishness and fear.

Moreover, "Tomorrow" runs the risk of being too late.

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A decision to follow Christ

means that we should make ourselves totally available to Him;

whatever sacrifice He asks of us we should make.

The call to follow Christ means staying up with Him,

not falling behind;

we either follow Him

or we risk losing Him.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Here I am, Jesus, determined to follow You.

Hold my hand and lead me, Lord.

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