Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus moved on from there, he saw a man named Matthew, at his seat in the custom house; and he said to him, “Follow me!” And Matthew got up and followed him. Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why is it that your master eats with sinners and tax collectors?”
When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do. Go, and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Reflections
“What I want is mercy. . .”
The celebration at the table in Matthew’s house expresses a foretaste of the celebration that happens in the kingdom of God. The welcoming and bringing together of people, sinners or righteous, is a joyous celebration in the kingdom. And the reconciliation of individuals with their Maker is one thing to celebrate.
Even before Jesus said to Matthew “Follow me!”, he already looked at him with mercy. The words “Follow me!” carry in them the merciful love of Jesus, from which forgiveness springs. It is mercy that Jesus brings and offers; it is also what He desires.
Mercy characterizes in a concrete way the ministry of Jesus. It is a mark of the reign of God that Jesus ushered in, a mark of the Church, and a mark of a Christian. Mercy allows us to understand, forgive and welcome. That is why there is a celebration at the house of Matthew. That is why in the celebration of the Eucharist everyone may participate. This same mercy, which allowed reconciliation with God and our fellow humans, calls us to extend to others our experience of Jesus’ merciful love to others.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019