JESUS UPSETS
When we read the Gospels, we cannot help but admit that Jesus was a person who annoyed a lot of people. He annoyed the experts of the Law by forgiving the sins of the paralyzed man, when He touched a leper, or violated the Sabbath rule. Today’s Gospel story is even worse. First, He shocked the bystanders by inviting Levi to follow Him and become His disciple. In Palestine, people hated tax collectors because they levied taxes for the oppressors and, at the same time, enriched themselves.
Not contented doing this, He accepted an invitation from Levi to dine in his house, together with other tax collectors and questionable characters. With this, He annoyed the Pharisees. No pious Jew would enter the house of a tax collector or have a meal with one as it would make him unclean.
Jesus didn’t care what others think. Those who were considered sinners by the pious people were very important to Him. He reached out to outsiders and assured them of God’s love. He said, “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick do.” And then He proclaims: “I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.”
This was shocking for His contemporaries but Good News for us. With all our weaknesses, shortcomings, failures and sins, we have no reason to be discouraged. The Lord is always there for us, especially when our fellowmen reject us because we did something wrong. We can always approach Him.
But there is an annoying challenge we have to face. Jesus is merciful, understanding and forgiving. What about us? We identify ourselves with Levi and the sinners to whom Jesus shows His love. Yet, aren’t we sometimes among those who reject sinners, judge them and even condemn them? We are tempted to erect barriers between us and those who are different from us. That is the annoying reality Jesus makes us face today. He did not only annoy people of His time; He continues to annoy us with nagging questions. But He means well; He only wants to heal us. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD
REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you allow yourself to be annoyed by Jesus’ words and so change your attitude towards others?
Lord, this was a shocking realization. Yes, I easily judge and condemn others. Transform me from being a harsh, hypocritical judge into a compassionate healer.
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