Don't be hindered

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners. (Matthew 9:13) 

Despised as a collaborator with the Romans, Matthew knew that his job as a tax collector was nothing to be proud of. Or at least he shouldn’t have been proud to be a tax collector. His hard-earned wealth only brought him contempt and rejection from his own people. He probably endured snide remarks from his townspeople, and it’s possible that he had begun to believe them. Whatever he thought, when he heard Jesus call him, Matthew did not hesitate. All his sinful ways, all the ways he had mistreated people, and all the unworthiness that must have accompanied such behavior dissipated. There was something special about Jesus, and Matthew was not about to let any obstacle—real or perceived—stand in his way.

It can be easy to buy into the lie that you are unworthy to answer Jesus’ call. Don’t believe it! Don’t imagine that your sins or weaknesses have convinced Jesus to pass you by in favor of a more worthy candidate. Remember what he said to the people who objected to his calling of Matthew: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). We are all sinners, and still, Jesus calls all of us: “Follow me” (9:9). He wants you to be with him.

So don’t let your sins and failings hinder your yes to the Lord. Quite the opposite—they are the perfect opportunity to show the world how merciful he is. Tradition tells us that Matthew went on to evangelize the very Jews he had once scandalized. The evidence of his change of heart must have made a deep impression on many of them. 

Today, if you are feeling unworthy, remember Matthew. Remember God’s kindness and mercy toward him. Remember the freedom and joy he felt when he left his old life behind and accepted Jesus’ invitation. God has called you and chosen you because he loves you just as much as he loved Matthew. He wants to silence that voice of unworthiness. Whether Jesus is calling you to leave behind a pattern of sin, to grow closer to him in prayer, to serve your community in a new way, or some combination of all three, say yes. Jump at his invitation, and let him change your life.

“Jesus, thank you for the invitation to follow you. Help me to say yes to your call!”

Instruments of mercy

Luke is the only one with me. (2 Timothy 4:11) 

There are so many things that could be said about St. Luke. He was a loyal companion and fellow worker with St. Paul to the end of his life. Between his Gospel and the Book of Acts, he contributed more to the New Testament than any other writer. He was an educated man and a dedicated evangelist who traveled hundreds of miles to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. There are so many good things to say about Luke, but let’s focus on one of his most endearing—and least mentioned—characteristics today: his love for God’s complete and unconditional mercy.

Luke’s parables and stories, especially the ones that don’t appear in other Gospels, paint vivid portraits of God’s patience with sinners. Some of them startle us as we see God reaching out to marginalized people and welcoming them into his kingdom. Here are a few examples:

The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us an enemy of the Jews demonstrating mercy (Luke 10:30-37). Then in Luke 17, ten lepers are healed, but it’s the Samaritan who returns to thank Jesus. God isn’t concerned with labels; he just loves to see an open heart. 

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector presents another surprise—someone as obnoxious as a tax collector can be justified (Luke 18:9-14). And then there’s Zacchaeus, the repentant tax collector, who receives a dinner invitation with Jesus in chapter 19.

The parable of the prodigal son again provokes us with our heavenly Father’s forgiveness of even those most “unworthy” (Luke 15:11-32). And in chapter 7, a sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet while a Pharisee looks on in judgment and disbelief.

God is eager to extend his mercy to anyone. Luke wanted to get this point across to every person he reached. So when you pray today, let that truth sink into your heart. Let Luke convince you of the mercy God has showered on you and on everyone else. Let him assure you that there’s no sin God won’t forgive. And let that assurance help you when it comes time to show compassion to the people around you. 

“Lord, I believe that your mercy is for everyone. St. Luke, pray that I can be an instrument of God’s mercy, just as you were.”

from wau.org

Come as you are

I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. (Matthew 8:8)

The centurion in today’s Gospel was accustomed to exerting the might of Rome over the local Jewish population. Men in his position could confiscate property and force the locals into labor. As officers of a Roman military unit, they gave orders, not requests. So, considering the centurion’s power, it’s a bit strange that he doesn’t just summon Jesus to his home and command him to heal his servant.

No—instead, the centurion shows unusual respect for Jewish religious boundaries. He knows that according to Jewish law, entering the home of a Gentile would bring about ritual uncleanness. So in a spirit of vulnerability and humble faith, the centurion appeals to Jesus for help from afar. “Only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8).

What an inspiration! No matter where we think we stand in relation to God, we can approach him. Even when we consider ourselves unworthy, we can come to Jesus and ask him to look on us with mercy. The centurion’s encounter with Jesus shows us how graciously God receives people of humble heart. Far from responding with anger or impatience, he praises this pagan’s faith. He goes so far as to elevate the centurion’s faith above that of many of his fellow Jews!

The next time you approach God in prayer, try to adopt the humble attitude of the centurion—but don’t let your humility keep you away. You may not understand everything; you may not be in the best position spiritually, but you can still go to him. Jesus is there to respond with love. Even though he is almighty God, he will meet you at your level. If he is willing to enter a Gentile’s home and cure his servant in person, he surely won’t turn you away! 

This is what merciful love looks like. It’s a love that involves mutual humility: ours, in acknowledging our weakness before God, and his, in extending his saving mercy! Every time you repeat the centurion’s words at Mass, make it a point to reinforce this message. Jesus will take care of your needs. He will forgive your sins. He will respond to your humility with his own humility and kindness.

“Jesus, meet me in my weakness. I need your help today, and I trust you to deliver!”

from wau.org

Mighty and Merciful

The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. (Exodus 3:15)

When you want to stand a few books on a shelf, you use bookends to keep them from toppling over to either side. Well, today’s first reading and Gospel are kind of like bookends for our life in Christ. We need both of them to keep us secure and safe.

The first bookend is the way God introduced himself to Moses, by telling him, “I am” (Exodus 3:14). Essentially, he said that he is life itself, embracing and surrounding all creation. As the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he is reminding Moses of all that he has done in gathering them together, giving them an identity as his people, and rescuing them from their enemies. This is a powerful, all-encompassing God who deserves to be worshipped and revered!

The second bookend is the Gospel reading. In it, Jesus, who is God made flesh, invites us to come to him so that he can comfort us and lift our burdens. But why would we go to him and not some other god? Because the first bookend tells us just how powerful he is. Jesus is the “I am,” the Alpha and Omega, the One who holds all things together.

Here is the wonder of the gospel message. God is complete in himself, and yet he longs for us to be with him. He is all powerful, yet he became a helpless baby in order to redeem us. He who put the stars in the heavens hears our prayers and comes running to help us.

In the end, we need both bookends. If we focus only on today’s Gospel, we’ll turn God into an overly indulgent parent who spoils his children. But if we focus only on the first reading, we’ll turn him into a remote creator who holds our obedience only because we fear his power. But God wants us to follow him because he loves us, not because we fear him. He wants us to come to him for comfort so that once we are strengthened, we can go out into the world and tell everyone else how awesome and powerful he is.

It is here, between the bookends, that we’ll find true rest for our souls.

“Father, you are mighty and merciful. Help me to see you more clearly.

 

from wau.org