Word to the Wise
Friday, July 5, 2024 - Friday in the 13th Week in Ordinary Time
[Amos 8:4-6, 9-12 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 all the righteous but sinners. [Matthew]
In Palestine in Jesus' time, who one ate with would be an indication of one's "place" in society. And one's status would be further indicated by where one sat at the table! Furthermore, if one was invited to dine, it would be expected that the invitation would be reciprocated on the same level. Jesus took note of this in Luke 14:7-11. In today's gospel passage from the Gospel According to Matthew, Jesus has just called Matthew (Levi) to be one of the apostles. Matthew threw a dinner party and, being a tax collector, invited others of his same social status to come. Needless to say, the Pharisees, who saw Jesus eating and drinking with tax collectors and others who were in trades that made them "unclean," criticized him. Jesus' reply is one that we all need to remember: "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'"
When we begin the celebration of the Eucharist, we usually begin it with a "penitential rite." This is meant to remind us that if we are going to dine with Jesus, we are not being invited in response to saintly lives but because we are sinners! Pope Francis has attracted Pharisaical criticism for referring to the Church as a "field hospital for the sick and wounded." It is important to remember in this connection, that the Church is not first and foremost an institution but an incarnate reality in the persons of baptized believers - the Body of Christ. How welcoming are we to those who would be considered "sinners" in the eyes of "polite" society? Elaborate and carefully staged liturgical celebrations can mask or mute the reality of Jesus' words. It is not a matter of this or that particular sin but rather a matter of admitting that we are constantly in need of forgiveness and need, in turn, to forgive others. Our recognition and acceptance of this need is our invitation to dine with Jesus. AMEN