Word to the Wise
Friday, July 5, 2013 - Friday in the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 and Matt 9:9-13]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 all the righteous but sinners.
The Sermon on the Mount indicated that Jesus intended to assert a different set of priorities within the understanding of the Mosaic Law. The scene in today's gospel scripture shows how he carried out that intention.
Table fellowship was (and still is) an important indication of one's priorities in life. Jesus clearly shows that the outcast and poor would have priority because he sat and ate with them, to the scandal of the Pharisees, who refused any contact with people such as tax collectors. Jesus has just chosen a tax collector as one of his closest companions! When the Pharisees protest, Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea [6:6] to them. If compassion is higher than a temple sacrifice, surely it is superior to mere rules about ritual purity!
How high does "compassion" rank to us? How important are our lifestyle or devotional choices in the face of the needs of others? Perhaps reading the parable of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke [10:29-37] might help our reflections. The next few weekdays will show Jesus' care for the poor and sick and outcast in the Gospel of Matthew. Where do we find ourselves? Are we the righteous, or are we sinners, or maybe a little of both? AMEN