Saturday after Ash Wednesday: 20th February, 2021 February 20, 2021
Reflection on the WORD
“Sinners – Faith”: In today’s Gospel, Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector to be His apostle; and also dined with his colleagues. “Are we prejudiced towards sinners?” Jesus’ Good News of Salvation embraces all sinners and does not condemn anyone. We hate the sin but love the sinner as a child of God.
Luke 5:27-32
Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him. In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call not the virtuous but sinners to repentance.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •Jesus tells us that His message of eternal happiness is a gift for everyone who is willing to accept and live it fully in his/her life.
- •Jesus came to help especially those who are spiritually weak and struggling to live in God’s ways; those who are sinning grievously, habitually and unrepentantly and are not experiencing any hope of conversion. Jesus is particularly compassionate towards them.
- •Like Levi, let us open our hearts and minds to accept Jesus and honour Him in our lives by admitting that we are in need of His Holy Spirit’s power to convert us firmly in His ways.