Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according Saint Mark 2, 13-17
Jesus went out along the sea.
All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the customs post.
Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners
and tax collectors and said to his disciples,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
He came to call the sinners
1. He saw Levi. Jesus’s look is different from ours. Perhaps you have a calculating look when relating with people, and because of this you don’t give yourself completely to others; you are measuring them. You might have a snobbish look, looking at people according to their social status. Another type of look is that of negotiation: you approach the person to see what advantage you may have over them, and if they serve you for personal benefit. How do you look at people today? Jesus has a compassionate, simple, and straightforward look. He doesn’t look at anyone’s curriculum, He just looks at their heart. How are you looking at people around you?
2. Dining at his house. This new disciple takes him to his home, brings him into his private space. By showing Jesus his intimacy, he does not hide anything. When you meet Jesus, it implies exposure, and opening yourself up completely to Him. Don’t be ashamed to show yourself as you are. I’m thinking about those people who, due to life’s circumstances, have had to make decisions and change their lifestyle to one that they didn’t expect. I’m thinking of priests who left the ministry and formed their own families… you have no idea of how hard it is for them to go back to mass, because they feel pain and shame. Or people who got divorced and started a new way of life. Situations they never expected to happen, but then they looked for Jesus. It is difficult for them to show their intimacy because it is painful. Many times, they feel like they’re being watched by us… being judged, as if we had a guillotine ready for them. Jesus calls the public sinner that is Levi, well known for his misdeeds. He is clearly able to call you as well.
3. Scribes. The look of the Scribes and Pharisees is different. They judge. They do not see what happens in the heart of the person who meets Jesus, they only look at the external. Levi did not meet the requirements of a good Jew. They did not see what was growing within his heart. Levi was able to change because he met Jesus. From being a white-glove thief, he went on to save souls, but they don’t see him that way because they had already socially condemned him. We are often like this! We condemn those who are apostles of God’s mercy. How do you look at others?
And if you have been found and forgiven by Jesus, don’t be ashamed… Jesus wants to do something new with you and in you.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
