“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
13th January 2018.
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SATURDAY, FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Reading 1: 1 Sam 9:1-4,17-19, 10:1The reading narrates, how soil is chosen by God and anointed s King by Samuel.
Res. Psalm: Ps 20:2-7O Lord, your strength gives joy to the King.
Gospel: Mk 2:13-17The Gospel narrates, the call of Matthew. It also speaks about the reaction of the Pharisee party on seeing Jesus eating with the tax collectors and sinners.
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The Israelites now have their king, Saul. He is God’s own choice, but he is also his own man, that is, he is free. We will see how he exercises his freedom badly and loses God’s favour.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus calling Levi, a tax collector, who was considered to be far from the Kingdom of God, to be his disciple. Levi understands the value of the call from the Lord and wants to celebrate it with his friends. He arranges a feast and calls his friends, so that even they may be called to enjoy the fellowship of the Lord and may not be excluded from His mercy and pardon.
The gospel places Jesus where he belongs, at dinner with tax collectors and other unpleasant characters. Jesus invites Levi to follow him not only as a disciple but so he can forgive his sins and eat with him. Christ’s weakness for sinners continues now. For what is the Eucharist if not a love feast, with the host Jesus continually indulging his glorious weakness for dining with the likes of us who are sinners all? This is the good news of the Lord.
Levi’s house is a kind of preview of the Mass. “People who are healthy do not need a doctor; sick people do.” The Mass is a marvellous experience of healing because the physician who heals and is himself our healing food is Jesus Christ himself.
Are you willing to be seen with and associate with those who are unpopular, dysfunctional, hurting, confused, and the like? Are you willing to let your reputation suffer because you love and care for those in need? Are you even willing to go so far as to befriend someone who will damage your social reputation? We are all called to experience that powerful message of Jesus who always goes in search of the lost and who calls everyone to enjoy the fellowship with him. Like Matthew and the disciples of Jesus, we are called to embrace all and welcome them to experience Jesus with us. We are to remember at each Eucharist that the Lord is with us feeding us himself
Prayer: Lord, You love all people with a deep and perfect love. You came, especially, for those whose lives were broken and sinful. Help me to always seek out those who are in need and to love all people with an unwavering and non-judgmental love. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.