Friday of the 13th week in the ordinary time of the year A
Gen. 23:1-4.19;24:1-8.62-67 Mat. 9: 9-13
Theme: “I desire mercy”
In the gospel reading of today from St. Mathew, we see how Jesus invited Mathew the tax collector to come and follow him. This action did not go down well with some of those who witnessed what Jesus did. This is because tax collectors during the time of Jesus are seen as public sinners, and the people could not understand why Jesus would want to be associated with such a person. Many of us today would have acted in a similar way, just like the people accusing Jesus in the gospel reading of today.
We are quick to condemn those whose sins are open to the public, even though some of us may be doing something worse in secret. The response of Jesus to the people is a lesson to all of us. If you feel you are already good and holy, then you may have to request that God call you out of this world to himself. This is because we live in a world that is made up of saints and sinners. It is expected that we support each other to become better, not by condemning anyone but by giving a helping hand to help us become a better version of ourselves.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, the action of Jesus in today’s gospel, would have led to the conversion of some of the tax collectors, if not all those who were at table with Jesus. Christ made it very clear that he came for the sinners and not the righteous. So, if you feel you are righteous, then you must allow God to show mercy to all those who have accepted that they are sinners and in need of Gods mercy. The analogy of Jesus about the sick and healthy, explains it all. The assertion of Jesus in today’s gospel is saying a lot to all of us as children of God. It is not our duty to condemn those who have deviated from the path that leads to life, rather it is our duty to help them to return to the right path that leads to life. This is exactly what Jesus did in the gospel and he is also teaching us to do in our daily lives. We must support each other on our journey to heaven. Let the strong support the weak, instead of leaving them behind or condemning them.
May God grant us the grace to always emulate him in our action, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.