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Questions on The Calling of St Matthew

St Matthews (known as Levi) is in a dark room, sitting at a table with others. A beam of light (possibly from a window) breaks the darkness and rests on Levi.

Reproduced by kind permission of the Church of St Louis des Francais, Rome - www.saintlouis-rome.net

  • The picture shows a Biblical event, painted as a contemporary scene by the artist Caravaggio (1571 – 1610) 
    Are there messages or insights that you find this setting (a) highlights, or (b) hides?
  • “Christ stands at the extreme right of the picture….  very far from being centre stage…”
    Are there any ways in which the outstretched right hand of Christ speaks to you of ‘calling’? 
  • How are the different characters in the painting responding to Christ?
    Which figure in the picture do you think is Levi (who is to become Matthew), and why?
  • Matthew was called to leave what he had been doing.
    Can you think of examples of God calling (you or others) to leave a particular place, task or role?