Reflection On Luke 5:27-32

Is again a mad choice by any standard man?  An outcast of the Jewish society, a tax collector is recruited to be the apostle? Can anyone believe? Great indeed are the works of the Lord, for there is no any reservations to call any sinner and feast with him. Amazing! Why not you are next?
Luke informs us that Levi was sitting at the tax collectors’ post when Jesus called him to discipleship. He followed and eventually became out of the twelve apostles. But who in the world is Levi? Have we ever met him before? In relating this same incident, Mark tells us that Levi is the son of Alpheus. Still not much help in identifying him. Mathew too, tells this story. And it is he solves the mystery, for he is the one known as Levi. It is possible that Levi was his family name and thus both Mark and Luke address him formally and correctly. The name Levi, often associated with money and business, is the name of the head of one of the twelve patriarchal tribes of Israel from whom the Levites take their name. After leaving his tax collecting post and beginning a new life, he chose to be called by his first name, Mathew. It means “gift of God.” In his new life he always uses his new name in describing events in which he was personally involved. A parallel in reverse is to be found in the case of Nathaniel Bartholomew, who is better known by his last name than his first. A new way of life and a new name are exciting possibilities for us to consider during this sacred season of Lent. What does my name mean to me and to others who know me? There are certain aspects of my life which I could change for the better. When I achieve those objectives, my image will be enriched and my name will have a new meaning.
For Levi, life meant only money until he received Jesus’ call. Jesus’ invitation was a wakeup call to get beyond the material desires. This ‘getting up’ is very significant. He then empties himself by leaving everything he had and Jesus fills his emptiness with His presence and company. We need to ‘get up’ from our selfishness, pride, greed , desire for material goods and make ourselves empty so that Jesus can dwell in us, make home in us. It is impossible to get filled with divine presence when we are filled with worldly affairs. Let us ‘get up’ to empty our worldly life.
Question Yourself:
How often I acknowledge Jesus’ call in my life?
Do I walk in the path of the Lord?
Am I ready to empty myself from worldly affairs to receive Jesus?



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