The call of Matthew

AS Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 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. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

REFLECTION I DESIRE MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE. Tax collectors are usually hated because they collect taxes for the Roman empire while enriching themselves at the expense of their fellow Jews. Besides, for the Jews, God alone is king. Paying taxes to any earthly ruler infringes on God’s rights and insults God’s majesty. Jesus is criticized because he sits at the table with tax collectors and sinners. He replies from daily experience: he points to a physician whose rightful place is with sick people. Jesus associates with people who need him most—the tax collectors who are considered sinners. They are his first concern, just as doctors are preoccupied with the sick. To correct the self-righteous attitude of the Pharisees, Jesus cites a passage from Hosea (6:6), “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Mercy comes from the Hebrew word hesed, which also means “loving kindness” or “steadfast/faithful love.” The Pharisees, who claim to be well versed in Scriptures, are instructed by Jesus to learn from the word of God. Jesus does not categorically reject sacrifices, but he tries to make the Pharisees understand that the steadfast/faithful love of God calls for the welcome of sinners and their restoration to divine and human fellowship.

What is my attitude toward those whom society considers “sinners”?