The Sinners Are Called

January 15, 2005 The Sinners Are Called Mk 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.

The sick, the lowly, the sinners are the ones Jesus has come to. They are the ones in need of healing. Jesus sits and eats with them. To the scribes and Pharisees this is a scandalous act but to Jesus it is tending to those who are in need of a "physician." In this short reading, Jesus is teacher and physician. He went out along the sea and the crowds came to him and followed him. It brings to mind the fisherman casting a wide net and bringing in a large catch. There were many who followed. The messages that I get from this are that it is important to
give time to those who are the undesirables of our society because they have special needs for healing. Jesus did not come to call the righteous. I need to be careful in my daily actions and attitudes that I do not become righteous in any matter but always mindful of my own sins and wounds and need for Jesus.