Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and
other sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they said to his
disciples, “Why is it that your master eats with those 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.”
Reflection:
It was just one of those days for the tax collector
Matthew. He goes to his work and afterwards goes home.
The monotony of his work is not something new. But little
did he know that everything will change in a flash. Jesus
passes by and invites him. What passes through the
mind of Matthew, we will never know. He did not keep
a record of that encounter. But he immediately gets
up, prepares a feast for his newfound friend, and invites
others to partake of his joy. At last, his otherwise ordinary
life has a chance to turn a new page. What is funny is
that the invited guests, or perhaps those who squeezed
themselves to the feast, the Pharisees, still have nothing
good to say of their host. They complain to the disciples why
Jesus prefers the company of the sinners rather than their
company? That is when Jesus gives an answer as to
why He is drawn to those in the margins of the social and
spiritual life. It is because they are the ones who need
most the reassuring love and presence of God.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021