16 January 2021
Saturday of the First Week of Ordinary Time
In Pope Francis’ first interview after assuming the office of the Papacy, he was asked who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He pondered his response, and said simply, “I am a sinner.” He made sure that the Jesuit who was interviewing him did not take the statement as a simple figure of speech. Pope Francis knows himself to be a sinner in need of mercy from the Lord. The image that he mentioned was a painting by Caravaggio, the Call of St. Matthew, that is in the Roman Church of Saint Louis of France. You can see the interview transcript and the painting by clicking the link HERE.
The painting is striking with Caravaggio’s typical use of light and shading in his pieces. It captures the moment of Matthew (Levi) hearing the call of Jesus and contemplating his response. Matthew points to himself as if to discount himself as being the intended recipient; his body posture and face has an expression as if he was saying in reply, “Who, me?” The indecision is palpable as Matthew continues to clutch the coins on the table, likely the taxes he collected on behalf of the Roman empire. Matthew meets Jesus’ gaze, and sees the gentle pointing of Jesus towards him.
Pope Francis has a key insight in a word that does not translate into English well: misercordiando. The closest translation is “mercy-ing.” Jesus’ call to Matthew is an act of mercy knowing full well who he is. Our vocations are similar in that they come from a fount of mercy in God’s hearts for us. Knowing our strengths, personality traits, and weaknesses, the Lord calls us to follow. Vocations are not rewards we earn; they are gifts that we need.
From the way Caravaggio depicts the scene, it is unresolved. He lets the viewer feel the tension in Matthew maybe with the hope that we become aware of the tension in our hearts. We can pray with the person of St. Matthew to learn to let go of the things to which keep us from responding generous to Jesus’ call, and recognizing the Lord’s mercy to us.
Are there certain non-negotiables in your life of discipleship with Jesus? How have you experienced the Lord’s “mercy-ing”?
Editorial Correction:
Yesterday’s reflection misattributed the actor Mickey Rooney in the role as Fr. Flanagan in Boys Town. The actor who played Flanagan was Spencer Tracy.