Word to the Wise
Saturday, March 4, 2017 - Saturday after Ash Wed.
[Isa 58:9b-14 and Luke 5:27-32]The Pharisees and their scribes complained to [Jesus'] disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners."
Pope Francis started a lot of complaining from Pharisees and scribes when he described himself as "a sinner" and the church as a "field hospital for the sick and wounded." Maybe it's just my imagination but it looks to me like he matches the description of Levi (Matthew) and his mission to be like that of Jesus in the gospel passage today. To make things more challenging, Pope Francis urged every baptized member of the church to become a "missionary of mercy" to bring back all those who have fallen away from the church for whatever reason. His document, Amoris Letitia, especially reaches out to those alienated by divorce and remarriage. This has REALLY got the Pharisees and scribes complaining.
I think many of us are reluctant to extend the invitation of mercy to those whom we know that are alienated from the church. Our reasons could be anything from timidness to a desire to avoid controversy or angry responses from those who have been hurt in some way. Yet, Lent is a season for trying this. Some of the alienated may just want to be heard and invited back. We can do this. Jesus dined with tax collectors and sinners and reached out to those who were alienated or rejected. What a Lent we could have if we even brought one person back to our fold! AMEN
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