Jesus Tells Us: Follow Me Out of the Darkness

Jesus Tells Us: Follow Me Out of the Darkness Today’s Homily contrasts mere compliance with true obedience in the spiritual life, . . . . . . especially during Lent. Compliance is external, minimal, and checklist-driven . . . doing what is required without interior conversion. Obedience, however, is transformative: it allows God’s commands to shape the heart, form character, and open a person to charity, generosity, and deeper union with Him. Practices such as prayer, fasting, Sabbath observance, and almsgiving are not ends in themselves. When done only outwardly, they are empty. Their purpose is to redirect the believer away from self-absorption and toward love of God and neighbor, forming a heart capable of mercy. Lent is Thus a Journey Fasting should lead to generosity; prayer should reshape desire; rest should become rest in God, not mere inactivity. This teaching echoes the prophetic call found in the Book of Isaiah. The Gospel image of Jesus calling Levi (Matthew) illustrates this movement vividly. Levi sits enclosed in a tax booth . . . symbolizing the human tendency to cling to security, ambition, resentment, or comfort. Christ’s command, “Follow me,” is not a suggestion but a liberating summons to step out of spiritual confinement. Lent is thus a journey of following Christ out of darkness toward the joy of Easter, where He leads His people “home” into communion, celebration, and true rest . . . an invitation also expressed in Gospel of Matthew. Ultimately, salvation may be characterized as entering God’s rest: a life no longer ruled by self-will, but transformed into the likeness of Christ through prayer, sacrifice, and charity. Hear more within the Homily. Listen to Jesus Tells Us: Follow Me Out of the Darkness ------------------------------------------------------------------ Art Work The Calling Of Saint Matthew: Dutch painter: Hendrick Ter Brugghen: 1621 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Why was this image selected: Matthew’s hesitation and awakening, mirroring the sermon’s image of Christ entering the “customs booth” of the human heart to lead it into light.