Day 11: The Call of Levi (Mark 2:13–17)

By Sindhu Nadarajan · September 22, 2026

vv. 13–14: "He taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post… 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him."

Don't think that Matthew followed Jesus out of nowhere! He would have heard Jesus before, and when he was called, he was actually listening to Jesus preach. "Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ" (Rom 10:17). This shows the importance of hearing, and of dwelling in and with the Word of God.

"Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart" (Heb 4:12). So choose to dwell with the life-changing, life-giving Word.

v. 15: While he was at table in his house…

For Matthew, Jesus' words were life-changing. He wanted his friends to hear them too, so he invited Jesus to his house for dinner. What a good start!

• How eager are we to share the goodness and joy we have found in Jesus with our friends?

• Is there a friend or family member you know who would benefit from this freedom and joy?

You may wonder, "How can I do this when I'm still learning?" No problem: Matthew didn't preach first. He invited Jesus to preach. We too can recommend people or resources that are helpful to those in need.

We may sit comfortably, thinking they will find these things themselves or that someone else will help them. The truth is that it isn't happening, and that is why they are still sitting in darkness. The Lord invites us to imitate Matthew and take the trouble to invite others into our joy and our testimony, however new and immature it is. Jesus will surely come, grace us, and dine with us at our little parties.

He so desires to be with sinners, not with the "righteous" who lean on their own understanding and strength. He makes this clear in v. 17: "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Bring to the Lord your fears and your feelings of inadequacy about sharing the Good News with others. The Lord will bless those desires, for "he does not call the qualified; he qualifies those he calls," for whatever he is calling them to.

St. Matthew, pray for us.

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." (Lk 11:28)