Jan 14 - As he (Jesus) passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed Jesus. Mark 2:13-17 - Levi, better known as Matthew, was a tax collector, collecting a "goods" tax just outside of Capernaum as people came in from the countryside to sell their goods. Like all tax collectors at these posts he was considered a trader against the Jews and thief and sinner who extorted illegal amounts over and above the standard rate for livelihood and personal self gain.
In short, Matthew was seated, static, stagnate, not going anywhere with his life until he met Jesus who called him to follow and to serve rather than climbing the latter to success which required taking all he could from others, which in turn left him terrible dissatisfied and unhappy. We can only succeed in life by living a godly life, imitating Christ and following Him, and serving others as he has served us, calling others toward Christ as he has called us. Personally, following Christ has been been the best decision I could ever make. I love Him and I love the life, the graces, the mercy, the joys, the communion, the Bread of Life, the destruction of barriers, the freedom from sin, and the salvation that only comes by living in His Most Holy Name.
