Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners,” (Mark 2:17)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus compared himself to a physician who heals the sick. Those who go to him are in need of healing. Where do you need healing in your life?
This Gospel reminds me that we do not need to be holy or perfect to go to Mass and be a part of the church. The church is not for the righteous but for sinners. It’s easy to forget that. Our society often expects more kindness and morality out of church-going people and is less tolerant of them when they sin. This reading then also challenges us to forgive others and to not judge people by their faults and weaknesses since we all have them. We are all called to be saints, but we need to keep in mind that Jesus is the one who makes us holy and calls us to be his disciples as he did with Levi. Today’s options for the Communion Antiphon reflect this: “With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life,/ and in your light we see light,” (Psalm 36:10) and “I have come that they may have life,/ and have it more abundantly,” (John 10:10). May God be the source of our life and all we do so that all those we encounter can experience the light of God.
-Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI