The WORD today reminds me that God is calling us sinners 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 pre pandemic, this happened to us. We bought food and it took longer than expected and we were not able to keep track of the time. We were just surprised when we heard our names called in the PA system because we were the only ones not on the plane. We ran fast and were so ashamed as we entered into the airplane. This is probably somewhat similar to the attention God gives to the "special" ones.
God calls the sinners to follow Him.
In the gospel, Jesus called a sinner in Levi. Levi was a sinner and was working at his post, doing what he usually does, 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. Even sinners. The people nobody wants. 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. He will never tire of calling us. We just need to come to him and humble ourselves.
When he calls us, we should do our part. We should listen. We should act. When Jesus called Levi, Levi stood up and followed Jesus. If Levi remained in his post, nothing would have happened. However, he did his part. Levi followed Jesus. And it led him to his eventual conversion.
How is God calling me to repent and follow him? Do I recognize him? Am I sensitive to his call? How do I respond to his call? Am I willing to follow Jesus as he calls me?
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.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, Sorry for the times i ignore your call. Sorry for the times i do not recognize your voice. Sorry for being insensitive and hard headed. thank you for not giving up on calling me. May I always be aware of your call, and may I always be humble enough to recognize and heed your call. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 310
The word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit,
joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
R. (see John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.”
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