him. Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and
sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples,
“Why is it that your master eats with sinners and tax collectors?”
When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do.
Go, and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call
the righteous, but sinners.”
Reflect
Health is big business these days. You can’t get away from information about new medicines to
help make your allergies or headaches go away. News reports announce the results of research
on new treatments and therapies. Internet sources of dubious authority announce the latest fads
to make us thinner or healthier or to help us to live longer. And that’s just physical health. There
are also experts happy to expound on how to improve our mental health and slow cognitive
aging. Still other experts advise us on the health of our relationships or ensuring our financial
health.
But today’s Gospel talks about our spiritual health. Jesus doesn’t turn to experts and religious
leaders to show us how to tune up our spiritual lives. Instead, he turns to tax collectors and
sinners to show us what we are to do. They turn away from their sin and follow Jesus, relying
on his grace and mercy to help them break the bonds of their sinfulness and live in holy freedom.
The mercy of God brings health to a sin-sick world.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023