The Calling of Saint Matthew

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.  "As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, 'Follow me'. And he got up and followed him" (Matthew 9:9)

The Calling of Saint Matthew is a masterpiece by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, depicting the moment at which Jesus Christ inspires Matthew to follow him. It was completed in 1599-1600 for the Contarelli Chapel in the church of the French congregation, San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, where it remains today.

The event is depicted here as dramatic, but nearly silent. The tax collector Levi (St.Matthew) is seated at the table with his four assistants, counting the day's proceeds. Jesus, with His halo the only hint of divinity, enters with St. Peter. With a gesture of His right hand, he summons Levi. A surprised Levi points to himself with his left hand as if to say "Who, me?" The armed young man close to Peter is leaning forward as if to question their reason for being there. Peter firmly gestures his right hand as if to say, "Stay out of this, young man. Let my master sort this out with your master".  At the time it was drawn, this painting faced severe criticism because Jesus was not on the center of the drawing, and also because of the contemporary French style costumes of those sitting around the table. 

The dramatic point of the picture is that for this moment, no one does anything. Christ's appearance is so unexpected and His gesture so commanding as to suspend action for a shocked instant, before reaction can take place. In another second, Levi will rise up and follow Christ; in fact, Christ's feet are already turned as if to leave the room. The particular power of the picture is in this cessation of action, the characteristic human indecision after a challenge or command, and before reaction. The costumes reinforce the situation. Levi and his subordinates, who are involved in affairs of this world, are dressed in a contemporary mode, while the barefoot Christ and Saint Peter, who summon Levi to another life and world, appear in timeless cloaks. The two groups are also separated by a void, connected literally and symbolically by Christ's hand.

The painting has so much meaning because it allows each one of us to be in the center of it, with Jesus standing on the side with His Church calling us to leave the earthly matters and to follow Him, to follow what really matters. Jesus doesn't care who we are or what we do,  "I didn't come to call the righteous but sinners" (Matthew 9:13). The two figures on the left do not even notice Christ's arrival; they are too much into this world's affairs and their inattention deprives them the opportunity Christ offers for eternal life. What would our reaction be, if it was us sitting around that table? Levi never looked back once he got up answering the call. 

"No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62)