Acts of the Apostles. 3

June 8, 2008

10^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

“He heard this and said, ‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.’”

The life of faith is truly a journey of conversion and of transformation. We have many reminders during this time of the year – with finals, graduations, summer vacations, ordinations, and moves – that remind us of the truth that life is about change; it is about the call to grow and to mature; it is the opportunity to say “yes” to God’s love.

The prophet Hosea shows us that this continual transformation can begin here and now, in this life, if we are to open to it: “It is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God, rather than holocausts.” “Knowledge” here doesn’t mean empirical analysis, but living justly; to see your life as part of God’s plan to heal and to repair a broken world; that we find fulfillment and joy when we put our time, abilities, and resources in service of this instead of merely enriching ourselves at the expense of others.

Both Romans and Jesus’ call to Levi reveal to us one of the biggest obstacles to our “buying into” God’s plan is our own spiritual shortsightedness. If glasses existed in Jesus’ time, he might have told the Pharisees, “you can certainly read scripture, but there are parts you’re overlooking – go get a new prescription of glasses.”

The account in Matthew 9 shows that Jesus cared for sinners – that he cares about our spiritual welfare and growth. He doesn’t want us to be mired in past mistakes or think that there is no hope. No, there is hope. The whole point of Jesus’ ministry is that he calls us because we are sinners. It is good to remember Jesus’ attitude toward sinners. He knows we need transformations which might continue after our death. Either way, we are incorporated into His body, His life, death, and resurrection when we get up from our tax collector’s tables. The liturgy we celebrate speaks of the continuing transformation God is working in us through the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

-Rev. Todd Molinari

http://www.stjosephchurch.com/pastor.html