Readings: Hebrews 4:12-16, Ps. 19:8-10,15, Mark 2:13-17
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
- The letter to the Hebrews, in drawing our attention to the importance of God’s words, says: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him, no creature is hidden…” (Hebrews 4:12-13).
- St. Jerome, a priest and theologian, once said: “Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” You cannot claim to be born again if you are ignorant of the word of God. And if you have never read the scriptures, you are ignorant of Christ. Do not depend only on those who teach you with the scriptures. Read it yourself. Even the devil can preach the scriptures. (Matthew 4:6).
- In today’s Gospel passage, we see the power of God’s Word when Jesus Christ speaks to Levi, the tax collector. Just one sentence is enough to make Levi abandon the lucrative business of collecting taxes. Unlike Peter, Andrew, James, and John, Levi becomes an instant fisher of men when he attempts to convert his fellow tax collectors by hosting Jesus in his house.
- Levi knew that just as he encountered the Word and was transformed, his friends would be transformed by spending the evening with Jesus. Invite your friends over for dinner and share God’s word with them. Let Jesus be the Host. You will be surprised at the outcome. Many churches, parishes and even dioceses started like this. Levi, also known as Matthew, eventually became an evangelist and the author of one of the synoptic gospels.
- Jesus ‘broke every protocol’ when He attended a party at Levi’s house. He openly sat down to eat and drink freely with tax collectors and their friends. This troubled the self-righteous Scribes and Pharisees, who felt that “birds of the same feather flock together.” Jesus told them, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” By eating with tax collectors, Jesus acted as the Good Shepherd who abandoned the ninety-nine in search of the lost sheep. (Cf. Luke 15:4-6).
- Jesus took a huge risk by eating with Levi and his friends. Once, I was invited to the home of a politician who was a candidate for my state's governor position, but I did not follow up with the arrangements because I was too scared to go there. I recall the backlash that greeted the viral photo of the bishops who were photographed with a very prominent politician in Nigeria, as well as the case of “fake bishops” who endorsed the current President during his campaign.
- Given the state of the nation, it is easy to point fingers at our politicians. However, the question is: “Are we better than them?” In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus said: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?... You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.” Like the scribes and Pharisees, we have become the “righteous” that Jesus did not come to call.
- If we truly understand the transformative power of God’s Word, as the book of Hebrews tells us, our attitude towards sinners will be love rather than condemnation. They say, “Never throw away the baby along with the bath water.” We must love the sinner but hate the sin. No matter what your past has been, you can begin anew. “For we have not a high priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses.” (Hebrews 4:15).
- Some of us display hatred for the sinner in public but secretly partake of the sin, hoping that we are never caught. Jesus said: “For nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17). It is better to be seen associating with sinners (and persecuted like Jesus) than to claim to be sinless. One day, the truth will come out. Repent today.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, deepen in us a love for your word and grant us to practice what we read. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of week 1 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Hebrews 4:12-16, Ps. 19:8-10,15, Mark 2:13-17).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu