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“Jesus noticed a tax collector,
Levi by name,
sitting by the customs house,
and said to him,
‘Follow me.’
And leaving everything
he got up and followed him.”
Mt 5:27

Just a few steps from Piazza Navona in central Rome there is a church which until Pope Francis’ election in 2013 was visited by relatively few, mostly in-the-know fans of the early 17th century Italian artist known as Caravaggio.

This church of St, Louis of the French has a little alcove along the left aisle in which are displayed three works of the great artist including his Calling of St. Matthew.

Soon after Francis was named as Pope he revealed that this church and especially this painting was his favourite spot in Rome since he dated his own adult re-conversion and calling to priesthood to the Feast of Matthew, September 21, sixty years earlier.

Later that year I visited the church and spent time (my pic above) at this now crowded spot. I was taken by the light-dark distinction in the image and marvelled how this contrast could be achieved so powerfully on canvas using only colour.

Before I left the church that day I purchased a large print of the painting, almost a metre square, and arriving home had it framed.

It now hangs in my bedroom, much too large for my little house, totally in-my-face especially as I leave the room.

I often think I’ll reuse the frame to house a brighter image, but then that thought fades and I return to the life-changing moment depicted: Jesus entering the dark and seedy poker-den and pointing to Matthew with the invitation “follow me.”

Jesus appreciated that Matthew was already following. He was following the mob perhaps motivated by money and driven by ambition. Matthew was following simply because it is in the unavoidable nature of our humanity to follow.

We humans can’t avoid following.

We might consider ourselves to be unique and creative but when we look more closely we have to admit that we are doing little more than imitating fads or fashions or copying the personalities and lifestyles we admire.

Of course we are rarely intentional in these choices since without a clear discerned decision we fall into following whatever or whomever seems attractive in the moment or the mission.

Given that it is in our human nature to follow, how wise we are when we become intentional about what or whom we follow.

Perhaps an opening for prayer today is the awareness that Jesus is gazing at you directly and personally, pointing you out in the crowd, and inviting you: “Come follow me.”

What is your response?

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Upcoming Cafe Gatherings:

Send a name, date, place and time and I’ll share your invitation. Just initiate a gathering, send me the info, and turn up to meet with anyone else who wants to take an hour to chat about their experience of God.

Wednesday 25 February 2026 10.00am
Stumble Inn, 200 Mangorei Road, Merrilands, New Plymouth
Joan

Wednesday 25 February 2026 10:30am
Zenders Cafe and Venue 44 Hopkins Rd Newstead, Hamilton
Christina

Thursday 5 March 2026 10.30am
The Cafe at Harrison’s Pekapeka Rd Waikanae
Catherine