Word to the Wise
Friday, July 7, 2023 - Friday in the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 and Matt 9:9-13]"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" [Jesus] 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]
Jesus has just called Matthew, a tax collector, to be one of his closest disciples. Matthew invites Jesus to dinner and naturally many of Matthew's associates and friends would be present, all of whom, including Matthew would be considered unclean and "sinners" by the Pharisees. To be in the company of such persons would make one unclean as well, in the view of the Pharisees. Jesus' reply is one that many in our church should learn and memorize! When Pope Francis washed the feet of women and a non-Christian on Holy Thursday, he was severely criticized by certain "righteous" elements in our country and elsewhere. It is puzzling how they could do this if they had any familiarity at all with not only this gospel passage but Jesus' entire ministry!!!
Jesus' words at the end of the passage are the best reply and are taken from the Prophet Hosea, with whom the Pharisees would presumably have been familiar!! I desire mercy not sacrifice. Pope St. John XXIII spoke at the beginning of the Second Vatican Council of the church using the "medicine of mercy." Pope Francis has spoken of the church as a field hospital for the sick and wounded and has written a book entitled, The Name of God is Mercy. The return of a sinner is something to celebrate even if justice will require some recompense. Those who think more in terms of punishment will find themselves outside the call of Jesus. Is that where any of us want to be? AMEN