I Did Not Come to Call the Righteous but Sinners

Wednesday Gospel Refection: Feast of Saint Matthew

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.”

~Matthew 9:9-13

Happy feast of Saint Matthew Apostle and evangelist!

I want to reflect upon Christ words in response to the Pharisees, “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.”

The other day I was pondering the blessings I have received. The lord has given me the grace to work as a special needs teachers assistant, continue through College to get my Bachelors in Theology, and be an assistant catechist on Sundays. To think of where I was three years ago, discerning religious life, (and pouting over the fact I was not accepted), dealing with crippling anxiety, and spending time blaming God and fearing my future instead of embracing his will and testing him. To think this is the time and place he was preparing me for. I spent three years blaming God for my pride and my shame… and when I finally accepted and laid it at the feet of Christ… He moved... and moved fast! I now acknowledge I was running to the convent out of fear of adulthood not choosing to lay down my life to God. It was through humility that Christ could act in my life. But it is because he calls sinners that we are called into communion with Him!

This is what Christ is speaking of in today’s Gospel, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” I am a sinner, you are a sinner, we are sinners. Christ is here for us. To love guide and bestow His grace upon. We just have to have the humility, patience, and prayer life to receive and obtain it.

We can strive for holiness by regularly attending confession, seeking Christ on the Cross, in prayer, but especially through the presence of the Holy Eucharist!!!

Let us Thank God for our many blessings and pray for an increase in the virtue of patience and humility.