“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Today's the feast of St. Matthew. Who would ever think a tax collector, a Levi, would be called?

Called and graced! To be called is no one's merit, but after being called how one makes oneself deserving is more meritorious.

As we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, one of the twelve, his call is an indicator and pathway for all of us in our own journey of discipleship. God's call and grace are gratuitous and not conditioned by our merits or demerits. No one can claim that he deserves God's grace. It is a free gift and God chooses anyone and equips them with His own power. He does not necessarily call the strong, but strengthens those called. Does not necessarily call the able, but enables those called. Does not necessarily call the holy, but sanctifies those called. He stands by those called, accompanies them always, purifies them from their old self and old ways, dignifies them with a new status and sanctifies them with his Holy Spirit. He entrusts them with his own mission, which is to liberate and integrate the dehumanized humanity. He sustains all their efforts with His light and strength and brings their life to fulfillment.

However, all this is not God's work alone. His call requires our response. His giving requires our receptivity. His action requires our cooperation.

We can be happy disciples if God never regrets having called us to follow Him. The greatest fulfillment and accomplishment of a consecrated life is that God is happy with us.