Word to the Wise
Saturday, February 21, 2015 - Saturday after Ash Wed.
[Isa 58:9b-14 and Luke 5:27-32]"Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.' [Luke]
Shortly after his election, Pope Francis was asked in an interview, "Who are you?" He replied, "I am a sinner." This statement startled a great many people! Later on he described the church as a "field hospital" for sinners and not a refuge for the righteous elite. This is a whole new way of looking at the church, or is it? The statement of Jesus from the gospel today seems to bear out Pope Francis' vision!
The first scripture today continues the passage from Isaiah that so clearly denounced religion that was formal and empty of justice and compassion. Jesus summons all of us to be a part of his Body the Church. It is not a country club. It is a field hospital for the sinner and injured people of our world. If we are uncomfortable with that idea, it might be a good thing for Lent to ask ourselves why. AMEN