THE CALLING OF 

SAINT MATTHEW

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “The Calling of St. Matthew.”

A LA ROMA

Three years ago - there we were on a Mediterranean Cruise. There we were in Rome for one day. There we were in the Piazza Navona in Roma.

We just looked at the  fountain of the 4 rivers in the big plaza. Very elaborate Italian extravaganza - in the big plaza - which goes back to the 1^st century. It was the spot Domitian’s stadium was built. The stadium stood there till the 15^th century when it was paved over. Once we heard it had been a stadium - then the big oval shape of the piazza made sense.

What next?

Right near there - we spotted this French Church - St. Luigi - or St. Louis. It was a French Church - from the time of the Medici’s.

We went in and to our surprise it was posted that the church had  3 Caravaggio paintings.

They were down front - off to the left in the Contarelli chapel. The center and what I thought was obviously the best of the three paintings, “The Calling of St. Matthew.”  Then facing each other was “The inspiration of St. Matthew  and “The martyrdom of St. Matthew.”

I didn’t think the Martyrdom of St. Matthew was his best. In modern times art specialists have found an earlier  painting.

Those of you who know Caravaggio paintings know of his use of darkness. This - as in some of Rembrandts  - gives him the opportunity to feature light - as on faces.

An interesting thing about these Caravaggio paintings in that side chapel is that you have to put coins in a machine to get some moments of light.

I stood there studying the 3 paintings over and over again - putting coins in as we go.  I also added some prayers.

The two old ladies I was with loved the paintings as well.

[HOLDING UP THIS BOOK SAY] “On the other side of the church - heading towards the door - I spotted this book for sale: The Bible of Caravaggio - Images from the Old and New Testament.”

Of course I bought it. Of course I have read it several times. Of course I have used it for sermons. Of course I have treasured it and kept it in great shape.

MESSAGE

A message for us is the ways God has called us - the ways God has called us out of darkness into the light.

In the painting of the Call of Matthew Jesus stands there in the shadows and points towards Matthew. “You. I am calling you.” 

Matthew - in the painting then points to himself as if to say, “Who me?”

I love that Caravaggio has Matthew being called in a tavern.

I love that Matthew in his gospel has Matthew inviting Jesus into his home,

Point to yourself and hear Jesus calling you in the tavern, in your home, in all the places of your life.

If you have some blank pieces of paper and a ball point pen at home, draw moments in your life when Jesus has called you - when Jesus points to you like Caravaggio has Jesus pointing at Matthew.  Be creative.

I hold that one’s primary bible is our own life.

I hold that one has to read that Bible first - in order to understand the big bible.