Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. (This I can do even at home, in the car or waiting in line, etc.Jesus got in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Resolution: In prayerful dialogue with God, I will examine at least three moments or events of my day. Free me from all impediments and grant me your grace so that I might become a convinced, faithful, and intrepid apostle of your kingdom, as was St Matthew. We need to ask God for the gift of faith, which gives us a new perspective on life.Ĭonversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, I want to be a simple person who accepts you and your demands without calculations and complications. We develop this habit through prayer, our frequent and intimate contact with God. A true believer, a real apostle, must form this “sixth sense” in his daily dealings. Why did God become man? We repeat it frequently, at least every Sunday in the Creed: “For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven.…” It is important to examine the degree to which I see and judge everything in my life through the prism of faith. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Once again, Jesus invites us to elevate our thoughts to a supernatural plain. "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Back to the Basics: Christ puts everything back into perspective. We are not looking at things from a supernatural vantage point but rather from our merely human standards.ģ. Before we realize it, we may have rejected and possibly even defamed our neighbor, a civil authority, or a priest or bishop. This frequently happens in our lives as we begin to judge events, circumstances, and others without faith and charity. They are looking at Christ (and God) from a very rational perspective when the only valid outlook is faith and love. They have to confront this Rabbi about his “shameful conduct.” The problem is that they haven’t understood the first thing about the Messiah. Complicated Calculations: Unlike Matthew’s straightforwardness, we see the Pharisees’ “righteousness.” Jesus’ dining with a sinner like Matthew is a scandal for them. Matthew goes overboard and lays out the red carpet for Christ.Ģ. It was a sign of intimacy, friendship, and love. A Jew generally invited only his true and closest friends and relatives to dinner. He then goes a step further: He invites Jesus to his house for dinner. Matthew doesn’t sit down to calculate he only accepts. In a certain sense, we might say that he signed a blank check and gave it to Jesus. What beautiful simplicity! He didn’t know that Christ would make him one of the Twelve. But Jesus says to him, “Follow me.” Matthew got up and followed him immediately no questions asked, no conditions. The ordinary Jew would not even converse with one such as this. Simplicity Is Bliss: The tax collectors were considered traitors to the Jewish people since they worked for the Romans, the “oppressors” of God’s chosen people. Petition: Lord, help me to be simple and straightforward in my faith.ġ. I’m grateful, too, for the gift of the Church, which you founded on the Apostles. Thank you for the gift of life, my family, and my faith. Introductory Prayer: You are pure goodness and life, Lord. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary TimeĪs Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
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