14 January, 2022 | Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Memorial St Devasahayam Pillai

Gospel: Mk 2:13-17

 Jesus went out along the sea.

All the crowd came to him and he taught them.

As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,

sitting at the customs post.

Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”

And he got up and followed Jesus.

While he was at table in his house,

many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;

for there were many who followed him.

Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners

and tax collectors and said to his disciples,

“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus heard this and said to them,

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Reflection: 

We imagine how irresistibly powerful the call of Jesus must have been that Levi (Matthew) instantly abandoned all his possessions to follow Him and overjoyed; threw a party for all his fellow tax collectors. By joining the fellowship meal with the public sinners, Jesus does not approve or turn a blind eye to their dark side of life but rather, seeks an opportunity to win their soul, over the table in a context of loving friendship. Often, what brings about positive change in people, is not our righteous advices of do’s and don’ts' but the unconditional love and friendship that overlooks all regrettable things and focus on the goodness still found, while trusting in the possibility of the best to come. Far from being a situation to be avoided, the company of “sinners” is precisely what Jesus needs us to seek out even today.

“No one forced me to come; I came by my own free will. I know my heart: He is my God. I have decided to follow Him and will do so my whole life.” – St Devasahayam Pillai

Action Plan: 

Examine to see when was the last time you offered solace to someone by not judging them on their wrong-doings.

Read and Reflect