RBWords

     When Jesus called Matthew [Levi] from his tax collector's post, the latter invited him to dine at his house.  One can imagine that the friends of a tax collector would not be people with whom the scribes and Pharisees would associate!  The dialogue from today's gospel passage is quoted above.  It is a dialogue that is still going on.

     Shortly after his election as pope, Pope Francis issued a document called "The Joy of the Gospel" (Gaudium Evangelii).  In it he referred to the church as a field hospital for the sick and wounded, and not a club for the elite.  This offended certain circles in the church who prefer a more triumphant and militant attitude.  Pope Francis also told those in pastoral leadership in the church that they need to have "the smell of the sheep," which offended certain folks whose idea of shepherding rested on keeping a sacred distance.  

     Years ago, in an encyclical that still stands as a call to action [Evangelium nuntiandi - The Gospel to be preached], Pope Paul VI said that people more readily respond to witnesses than to teachers.  The scene from today's gospel is Exhibit A.  The responses of Matthew and his friends to Jesus are positive.  The responses of the religious elite are negative.  Which responses does Jesus approve, and what does he say about his mission?  "Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy and not sacrifice.  I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."  That's our mission, too!  AMEN