Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Like some people, I am a little anxious when it is time to head to the physician. Whether there is a specific medical issue or a routine check-up, there is this underlying fear that I am not as healthy as I think I am or should be. In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds the scribes and Pharisees that he has come to bring healing to the sinners. How many of us are fearful to admit our sins to Jesus, similar to the fear we have when addressing our medical needs with our physicians? Today’s scripture readings remind us that we are all sinful, but our God is all merciful and desires to bring us healing and wholeness. Jesus is the Great Physician who offers His prescriptions and directives for good spiritual health, but we can only receive His grace through our humble admission that we need His care.
In today’s gospel, Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him, and then Jesus joins him at a great banquet which includes tax-collectors. The scribes and Pharisees complain that Jesus is spending His time with these sinners, but Jesus remarks, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but the sinners.” I wonder how this response is understood by the crowd. If they are “righteous” people, do they believe that they do not need Jesus and His mercy? Do these righteous individuals reject Jesus and his healing because they do not recognize their need?
In the first reading from Isaiah, God reminds the Israelites how they are called to live. They are reminded to live without oppression of others, to speak kindly, to feed the hungry and to care those in need. They are also called to follow God’s way, honor the Sabbath, and to speak and act with kindness. God promises the people renewal and fullness of life when the Israelites trust and follow in God’s way.
These readings are a reminder that God calls each of us to live in ways of kindness and truth. Even though we may seek to follow God in all that we do, we fall short of this goal. It is difficult to admit our faults and failings, and yet if we do not recognize our sins, our “righteous” attitude may prevent us from receiving the mercy and healing that Jesus promises.
As we begin our Lenten journey, spend some time reflecting on ways that God might be calling us to renewal and repentance. We must first identify that there is a wound that requires attention for healing to occur. Today, spend time recalling habits that you might have that do not lead you on God’s path e.g. gossip, judging others, lying or cheating. As you identify these sins, bring them to Jesus and ask for mercy and the grace to overcome these behaviors in the future. Consider going to the sacrament of Reconciliation to help you find the wisdom and grace to better live out God’s truths. As you take these steps, remember the words from today’s Responsorial Psalm. “O, Lord, you are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.”
Loving God, Jesus is the Great Physician who offers healing and renewal to all who come to Him. With the grace of Your Spirit, help us to recognize our sinfulness and our need for forgiveness. Shower us with your mercy, so our repentance will bring us strength to go forth and be Your conduits of grace and mercy for the world around us. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN
-Marylynn Herchline