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Family Reflection Video: Follow Me

Family Reflection Video: Follow Me

saints  |  disciple

What can we learn from St. Matthew’s example of discipleship?

In the bible account of Matthew, after hearing the Lord call, “follow me,” the apostle seems to get up and follow Jesus without any hesitation. It was as though his personal encounter with Jesus was not an affair of the mind or rational discourse but rather an experience of the heart. Then Matthew goes on to invite his loved ones to encounter Jesus too.

Matthew left everything behind to become a missionary disciple of Jesus. You might say this is similar to what people pursuing a vocation of religious life do but Jesus calls all of us to do this in different ways.

Can you think of a time where you acted with only your heart and without hesitation because you knew that’s what God was calling you to do? Did it turn out to be the best thing? Did you tell family and loved ones about the experience and in doing so, inspire them to also encounter Jesus?

Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your busy day to be with us. Blessings to you and your family.

For additional reading: The Call of Matthew, Matthew 9:9-13 and learn more about St. Matthew, sinner, apostle, evangelist and martyr. I invite you to follow me on Twitter @FrWilly too! 

About Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C.

Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.