Luke 5:27–32

Verse 28. The profane Julian charged Saint Matthew with levity, in leaving all and following a stranger at one word. But hereby is seen the marvellous efficacy of Christ’s word and internal working, which in a moment can alter the heart of man, and cause him to despise what before was most near and dear to him. And this was done not only whilst Christ was living on earth, but daily in his Church. Thus S. Anthony, S. Francis, and others, hearing this word in the Church, forsook all and followed Jesus. Saint Jerome in Matt. ix. Saint Athanasius in vita. S. Anton. August. Confess. l. viii. chapter 11. Bonav. in vit. S. Francisci.

Verse 29. And Levi made him a great feast, to testify his gratitude to Jesus for the favour he had done him. It appears that both Saint Mark and Saint Luke affect, through consideration for Saint Matthew, to designate him here by his less known name of Levi; whereas he designates himself, through humility, in this same circumstance, by his more known appellation of Matthew. See Matthew 9:9. V.

Verse 31. Jesus Christ gives them here to understand, that they were of the number of those who languished under a severe indisposition, and that he was come to act as their Physician. S. Chrysos. hom. xxxi in Matt.