He calls…

In the gospel, we are reminded that Jesus calls us, even if we are sinners. He called Levi, a tax collector, and even dined in his home, with his sinner friends. Jesus even goes further to say that “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners”

In this season of lent, we are encouraged to be humble and accept we are sinners. We should not be self-righteous like the Pharisees and scribes, who think that they are already good, that they don’t need Jesus in their lives, that they don’t need to repent on their ways. We are all sinners, we all sin, and we should be humble to accept that, and be willing to be healed of sin, be willing to change.

Levi in the gospel was willing to. He left everything behind and followed Jesus. He was willing to follow Jesus and die of his old self. The first reading says what God wants – for us to do good: not to oppress and falsely accuse others, feed the hungry and to honour God. This is what God wants from us, this is what he is asking us to do.

As we prepare this season of Lent, may we be humble enough to admit that we are sinners and be willing to change our ways for God. Let us remember that God does not want physical fasting and abstinence (see related reflection http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/fasting.html ), but rather, he wants a deeply rooted fasting and abstinence, things that will help us grow spiritually and make us more like Him.

Do I accept that I am a sinner? What does God want me to do this Lenten season? Do I judge others, or am I willing to be God’s instrument to help them change their ways?