A reading of the holy Gospel according to Mt 9:9-13
As Jesus passed by,he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.He said to him, “Follow me.”And he got up and followed him.While he was at table in his house,many tax collectors and sinners cameand sat with Jesus and his disciples.The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”He heard this and said,“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
REFLECTION
“Follow me.”
Jesus sees us through the eyes of love and mercy. Matthew, a tax collector for Herod, was sitting there. He was despised, a publican and a sinner. Many thought of him as a traitor as he worked for the Romans. There were many shady dealings happening as a tax collector.
And Jesus said, “Follow me" and Matthew got up and followed Him. To follow Jesus meant imitating the pattern of His life--not just walking with Him. Matthew was an example of repentance and pardon. And through his new found faith, he brought to Jesus more sinners.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no 298, we read, " Since God could create everything out of nothing, He can also through the Holy Spirit, give spiritual life to sinners by creating a pure heart in them (Psalm 51:12) and bodily life to the dead through the Resurrection. God "gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." ( Romans 4:17 ) And since God was able to make light shine in darkness by his Word, He can also give the light of faith to those who do not yet know Him. "
There is hope for everyone. Persevere in praying for our loved ones, for their conversion. Persevere praying for yourself.
"Therefore,
He is always able to save those who approach God through Him,
since He lives forever to make intercession for them."
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