Wednesday 09 March 2022

Psalm 96

Background

The term 'Inclusive Church' has a wide meaning. It's about allowing all to participate fully in the whole life of the Church irrespective of race, sexual orientation, gender, language, age or class. Some consider ‘Inclusive Church’ in relation to the LGBTQi community. It also expresses an ecumenical hope and desire for all Christian denominations to sit together and share the Lord’s table. 

Pope Francis was moved by today's Bible passage to the point of basing his motto on it, “By having mercy, by choosing him” (Miserando atque eligendo). Matthew, a sinner like the rest of us, received not only mercy but a call to the heights of holiness. Each one of us has received a similar call. The only prerequisite is to confess that we are sinners and cooperate with God’s plan to make us holy.

In today’s text, Jesus saw Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and said to him, "Follow me."  And as Jesus sat at the dinner table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked why. Jesus said: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." (vs 12-13)

I wonder what Jesus saw in Matthew that made him to call him to follow him. This led me to reflect on Jesus calling us today. I continue to wonder why Jesus called me. I desire to continue on this journey of faith with Jesus the Christ even during those times I am intrigued as to what it is Jesus sees in me and how he continues to call me to a life of ministering to others and brief them to a transformed lifestyle. In the text, Jesus is inclusive, and he welcomes even tax collectors and sinners. Tax collectors were not liked for cooperating with the Roman imperial authorities and extorting more tax than was due in order to inflate their profits. Hence, it was a loathed trade. They were social outcasts. Jesus radically challenges the beliefs of where the presence of God could be found. He shows that he came for all people, the weak, vulnerable, sick and sinner. He radically challenged the beliefs of where the presence of God could be found. By dining with sinners, Jesus showed mercy to them.

I wonder why Jesus decided to sit and dine with the tax collectors, the despised of society? Jesus accepted sinners in order to bring them closer to God, to make them aware of their limitations; to challenge and transform their ways and their lives, in order that all may be restored to God.

To Ponder:

1. Are you prejudiced against any individuals or groups of people?
2. Have you got your own secret list of social outcasts you do not like to be mixed up with?
3. Are you open to follow what God calls you to? Is it a joy or a sacrifice? Do you share this with your friends or neighbours?