Gospel Matthew 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 came and 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 The temple was based in the law and justice. And when someone did not do what the law required, there was a ritual they had to go through to become clean again. And what Jesus is saying is that I'm not interested in people doing something that's required in order for them to be back in good relationship with God. No, I want them to understand that God's love transcends our sinfulness.
Mercy is unmerited love. That's what Jesus wants. Not rituals that purify you, but a belief that the God who made you longs more than anything else to give you a sense of his love and his presence when you are at your worst. Please ponder this reflection and I will close with the prayer.
Closing Prayer Father, we cannot forgive our brothers and sisters unless we have already been forgiven. Fill us with that awareness that you have. That sin is never something that separates us from you. But it calls us to allow you to forgive us. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.