Calling Sinners

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011318.cfm) reminds me that God is calling sinners like us to follow Him. 

In airports, when people are late for boarding, their names are announced in the public address system. Once when we were traveling in a group, ordering food took longer than expected and we were not able to take note of the time, and we were just surprised when our names were called because apparently, we were the only ones the plane was waiting for. We ran fast and were so ashamed coming into the airplane. This is somewhat similar to the attention God gives to the "special" ones as he calls us. 

God calls the sinners to follow Him. 

In the gospel, Jesus called a sinner in Levi. Levi was working at his post, doing what he does usually, when Jesus called him. Jesus was not like usual leaders or coaches who want great people, star players, for the team. He calls everyone. He welcomes everyone. And he did not mind people talking about Him. He says that he came to call sinners, not the self righteous. Like in the airport, he is calling each and every sinner to come to him, but without the intention of shaming us. He calls us to save us. To give us an opportunity to start again and live right. 

Just as Jesus calls us, so we should respond. Levi did not just stand up from his post. He followed Jesus. He welcome Jesus in his home and in his life. He eventually changes. God's love and forgiveness cha ged him. This is what we should do too. We should respond. And we should change. We should allow God to change us as he loves us. 

May we be able to hear him calling us in a lot of different ways, and be humble enough to come to him and heed his call, and allow him to love us so we can love him and others. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Sorry for the times i ignore your call. Sorry for the times i do not recognize your voice. Sorry for running away from you. Help me live right. Help me live pleasing to you. Thank you for not giving up on calling me. May I be aware and humble enough to recognize and heed your call. Help me follow you. And as I do, I allow you to love me. For I know that as I experience your love, I will be filled and be moved to love you and others as well. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 13, 2018

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Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 310

Reading 1 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1

There was a stalwart man from Benjamin named Kish,
who was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror,
son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite.
He had a son named Saul, who was a handsome young man.
There was no other child of Israel more handsome than Saul;
he stood head and shoulders above the people.

Now the asses of Saul's father, Kish, had wandered off.
Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants with you
and go out and hunt for the asses."
Accordingly they went through the hill country of Ephraim,
and through the land of Shalishah.
Not finding them there,
they continued through the land of Shaalim without success.
They also went through the land of Benjamin,
but they failed to find the animals.

When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD assured him,
"This is the man of whom I told you; he is to govern my people."

Saul met Samuel in the gateway and said,
"Please tell me where the seer lives."
Samuel answered Saul: "I am the seer.
Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today.
In the morning, before dismissing you,
I will tell you whatever you wish."

Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul's head;
he also kissed him, saying:
"The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage.
You are to govern the LORD's people Israel,
and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.

"This will be the sign for you
that the LORD has anointed you commander over his heritage."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (2a) Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart's desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
For you made him a blessing forever;
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.

Alleluia Lk 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea.
All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the customs post.
Jesus said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners
and tax collectors and said to his disciples,
"Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
Jesus heard this and said to them,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."