When Jesus Truly Sees Us: A Heartfelt Reflection on Matthew’s Call and God’s Mercy in Everyday Life (Matthew 9: 9–13 )
Praise be to Jesus Christ
There was a young man who had gone astray. After years of failure and shame, he walked into a church late one evening. It was empty. He knelt at the back, not knowing what to say. The weight of his sins crushed him. He felt unworthy even to raise his eyes to the crucifix. Just then, the old sacristan entered, unaware that someone was inside. Seeing the young man, he quietly said, “I don’t know your story… but I know this, if you’re here, it’s because Jesus already saw you before you stepped in.”
That word “saw” is the key to today’s Gospel. Matthew was not looking for Jesus. He was busy counting coins, stuck in a job people despised. Everyone saw a sinner. However, Jesus saw something more, not the way the world saw him, but a soul ready to rise.
Jesus sees beyond the eyes. He sees the heart, the wound, the desire to be forgiven. In our homes too, life would change if we learned to see each other like Jesus, beyond faults, beyond tiredness, beyond harsh words. Many in our families and communities feel invisible; a mother who cooks daily without any complaints and not receiving any word of appreciation, a father who keeps silent because no one listens, a child who longs for someone to notice their quiet drawings or small efforts.
Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” It is not a clean record that brings us close to God, but an open heart. In the Old Testament, through the prophet Hosea, God says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6). It is not ritual that wins God’s love, but mercy, the kind that transforms.
St. Camillus de Lellis, once a gambler and soldier, was dismissed from religious life. But in deep sickness, he cried out to Jesus and was seen. He was not only healed, but also became the founder of an order that served the sick with heroic love. Like Matthew, once seen by Jesus, he got up and followed.
St. Teresa of Lisieux said, “How sweet is the way of love. One can fall a thousand times and begin again each time, not relying on one’s strength but on God’s mercy.” This was true for Matthew, and it is true for every one of us.
Can we begin to see again? See not just the fault, but the tiredness behind an angry word, the longing behind a silent meal, the sadness behind a closed door. Jesus invites us today, to show compassion that changes hearts.
Think about St. Peter who denied Jesus. Yet Jesus did not reject him. He saw his tears and gave him a mission. In our homes and communities, how quickly do we give up on each other? A husband who made a mistake, a wife who failed to love, a child who disobeyed, a brother or sister who forgot to help. The call of this Gospel is to see with mercy, to see as Jesus sees.
Finally, Matthew did not delay. The Gospel says, “He got up and followed Him.” He didn’t think of money or reputation. When mercy called, he rose. When love invites, don’t wait, but act today/ immediately. Let us rise from the chair of pride, from the seat of old grudges. Like Matthew, leave everything and follow the inspiration.
Lord Jesus, help me to see with Your eyes and to love with Your heart
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God Bless…
Beautiful homily. Thank you Father