2/13 Lenten Reflection by Hayden Charles

In his commentary on Luke’s account of the call of the apostle Matthew that we hear in the Gospel today, St. Bede says that Jesus “saw [Matthew] through the eyes of mercy and chose him.”  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis chose this phrase as his episcopal motto when he became a bishop, and it remains his papal motto today.  This phrase may also be the perfect motto for our season of Lent during this Holy Year of Mercy.  What allowed Matthew to experience the merciful gaze of Jesus was his readiness to leave everything behind.  Think about all the distractions that face us day in and day out: work, school, money, social status, mass media, etc.  Let us listen, like Matthew, to the call of Jesus today.  Let us leave everything behind and spend a few moments in silence, allowing Jesus to see us through the eyes of mercy.

Hayden Charles is a senior studying for the Diocese of Wichita, KS.  He is a man striving to grow in holiness every day and spread the joy of the Gospel to everyone he meets.