The Calling of St Matthew

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." Mt 9:9-13, RSV-CE.

The gospel for today, Friday of the 13th Week, Ordinary Time.

The painting is by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, completed 1599-1600 for the Contarelli Chapel in the church of the French congregation, San Luigi dei Francesi ( St Louis of France) in Rome.



Detail of St Matthew, left, of Jesus, right.