Gospel 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 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:
We tend to think of things happening in a certain order.
By way of example, whether it is with our own children or at confession, it is expected that a person first repent and show sorrow for what they have done wrong. Only then do they receive mercy and forgiveness.
Today’s story of the tax collector is backwards. Jesus shows mercy to the sinner (the tax collector) before he has shown any repentance for his sins.
The righteous, law abiding, Pharisee indignantly calls foul, asking the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus replies to the Pharisee, “Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
Mercy is a salve that we apply to a burn or a wound to help it heal. There is no need to put salve on healthy skin.
In Luke’s version of the story, after being shown mercy, the tax collector says to Jesus, “……half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” (Luke 9:8)
By showing mercy, Jesus unlocked the door so the tax collector could pass through and come into the light.
In response to the Pharisees’ indignation that He eats with tax collectors, Jesus replies, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
What is my immediate reaction when I encounter a sinful person?
Am I like the Pharisee, indignant and condemning?
Or, do I look to apply the healing salve of mercy?