Do you remember your first encounter with Jesus?
Saint Matthew sure does, and he shares his conversion story with us today with such simplicity. He writes his story in the middle of two chapters of healing miracles. As we listen to Matthew’s testimony, I invite you to visualize how Jesus looked upon him with love. That healing gaze of mercy changed the entire trajectory of this tax collector’s life. Can you imagine the delight he experienced in being chosen by Jesus?
To more fully receive the abundant mercy of Jesus in our own lives, let’s ask Saint Matthew to help us to more deeply understand the heart of Jesus. Let’s look with him at a few prayers from the Litany to the Sacred Heart.
When we are sitting like Matthew in our sin at the customs post, it is easy to imagine that Jesus is looking upon us with disappointment. Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
How many times had Jesus walked by the customs post, unnoticed by Matthew? How many times do we not notice Jesus in our midst? Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
When we are stuck in our greed and attachment to earthly treasures, heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
When we feel frustrated with our sins and weaknesses, heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy, have mercy on us.
When we experience Jesus calling us more deeply into our vocation with the invitation to rise up to new life with Him, heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
When our lives are changed by our encounter with Jesus and we know Saint Matthew’s joy of being called to follow Him, heart of Jesus, delight of all Saints, have mercy on us.
Do you remember your first encounter with Jesus?Click to tweet
Join me in praying this prayer today: Jesus meek and humble of Heart, make our hearts like unto Thine!
Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book, Rise Up and the author of our Blessed Conversations: Ways to Pray study found here. You can find out more about her here.
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