Gospel reading: Mt 9:9-13
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.”
REFLECTION: Follow me
Jesus calls the tax collector Matthew to follow him. The Pharisees are surprised that Jesus should make a disciple out of a public sinner. Matthew, in return, calls Jesus, inviting him for dinner. In his house are fellow tax collectors. The Pharisees are dismayed even more, and they express their objection to Jesus’ disciples. This tells us that Jesus is not the only guest. Jesus is with his disciples having table fellowship with Matthew’s group (regarded as public sinners). Though out of place perhaps, the Pharisees are also there.
Jesus overhears their objection. He answers them stating his purpose: he has come to heal the sick. He has mercy on those whom society considers sick or sinners. They have suffered much from rejection. Jesus gives them a break. The Pharisees cannot hinder him from associating with sinners to whom he brings God’s mercy. The Pharisees justify their objection: Jesus is no longer qualified to offer sacrifices in the Temple. Jesus reminds them that
God prefers mercy to rituals. We Christians may not think like the Pharisees who value ritual purity. But we easily forget to show mercy to people who are in need of help. We have more time and money for rituals than doing works of mercy.
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“I hate, I despise your feasts, I take no pleasure in your solemnities. Even though you bring me your burnt offerings and grain offerings I will not accept them…
Rather let justice surge like waters, and righteousness like an unfailing stream” (Amos 5:21-22, 24).
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