Matthew 9:9-13 Called to be like St. Matthew

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

In this passage we see the call of Matthew. Matthew was a tax collector, someone who was despised by the people of Israel because they were perceived to be a sell out and a cheat. Tax collectors did not get an income from the Roman Empire so they needed to inflate the taxes so they could make a living. Here Matthew's response to the word of God is simply pure obedience. We are all called to be like Matthew. We are called to respond instantly to God's call no matter our background or past.