How Will You Be Remembered?

"Follow me"

Two words that changed Matthew’s entire life. He was a tax collector—despised, corrupt, written off by society and yet Jesus looked at him and saw something more. Something eternal. And Matthew got up and followed Him.

Today’s Gospel reading reminds us of the beginning of a disciple’s journey. It often starts not with glory or prestige—but with a simple “yes” in the middle of ordinary, even sinful, circumstances.

But what happened after that “yes”?Each of the Apostles, after being called, walked a path that would cost them everything. Their comfort. Their reputation. And eventually… their lives.

• Peter was crucified upside down in Rome because he didn’t see himself worthy to die the same way as Jesus.

• Andrew was bound to an X-shaped cross, preaching to onlookers as he died.

• James the Greater was beheaded.

• John was the only one who died a natural death, but only after surviving being boiled in oil and exiled to Patmos.

• Thomas was pierced by a spear in India.

• Matthew, the one from today’s Gospel, was killed by a sword in Ethiopia.

• Bartholomew was skinned alive.

• James the Lesser was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple, then beaten to death.

• Simon the Zealot was sawed in half.

• Jude (Thaddeus) was clubbed to death.

• Philip was hung upside down by iron hooks.

• Matthias (who replaced Judas) was stoned and beheaded.

They didn’t follow Jesus for the fame. They followed Him for the truth. And in the end, they were remembered not just for how they died—but for why they died.

So now the question comes to us: How will we be remembered?

What have we done today, or even yesterday—that carries eternal value? When people speak our names one day, will they say:

“She loved like Christ did. ”He lived for truth.”

“She gave even when it hurt."

”He followed Jesus, no matter the cost.”

It doesn’t take martyrdom to leave a legacy of holiness. It starts now... in small, quiet “yeses.” In leaving behind the comfort of old ways, like Matthew did at that tax collector’s booth. It starts with courage to live differently when the world is watching.

Maybe we won’t die for Christ… but will we live for Him?