March 8, 2014 The Call of Levi Lk 5:27-32 27[Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” 28And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. 29Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. 30The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. 32I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” LEVI GAVE A GREAT BANQUET. Levi may not be an ordinary tax collector hired by someone who has bought the rights for collecting taxes from Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. He can very well be a chief tax collector because he can afford to give a big banquet as his despedida party to which a large crowd of tax collectors are invited. Hence, Levi is a “big sinner” in the eyes of the Pharisees who accuse tax collectors of being traitors to the people and the Law of Moses. Jesus defends Levi by declaring that he has come to call to repentance not the righteous but sinners. Levi will prove that Jesus’ confidence in him is not misplaced. A big sinner, he will become a great saint, better known as Matthew the apostle. When we compare ourselves to others, we easily forget we are sinners, and we may end up feeling self-righteous, claiming we are by far better than others. But if the loving God is our starting point, then we can see our wretchedness and our need of divine mercy. An honest examen of conscience will allow us to look at our life under the gaze of the compassionate God. We will realize our constant need of repentance. Are you easily taken by the bad things other people do? Do you find time to look into your heart, discover your own sins, and ask for divine compassion?
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 02:45:01 +0000