Word to the Wise
Friday, July 7, 2017 - Friday in the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 and Matt 9:9-13]FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2017. FRIDAY IN THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8; 62-67 and Matthew 9:9-13] While [Jesus] was at table in [Matthew]'s 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] The scene today from the Gospel According to Matthew works, as usual, on more than one level! At first we have the "call" of the tax collector, Matthew (or "Levi" elsewhere]. Then we have the encounter with the Pharisees and Jesus' comment about mercy. The two elements are intertwined. First of all, Matthew IS one of those "tax collectors and sinners," and Jesus has just called him to be one of his closest associates! Second, it makes sense that if Matthew goes further and invites Jesus to dinner that the other invitees would be people Matthew would know. Since tax collectors (as always) were considered "unclean" by Pharisees, Jesus would become "unclean" by his keeping company with them. The other "sinners" were probably people who worked in trades that were considered "unclean," such as tanners (who dealt with dead animals). What is established here is that Jesus is preaching a kingdom that is open to everyone, and not just the "better sort." (I have called attention more than once in this space to the short story by Flannery O'Connor, REVELATION, in which a self-righteous lady learns the lesson of Jesus' mercy in a startling and searing way.). He not only wants to work with us as disciples but he will join us at table as well. If we have faith in him, it is a faith that must be shared so that the kingdom spreads. A good question to ask ourselves is whether or not we have the category of "unclean" in our hearts and minds and use that category to keep certain folks away or at least at arms' length. If we do, there's still time to get rid of that category before the Lord asks us what we have done with our lives. AMEN
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