Pope's Intentions
Universal: Peace -- That those from diverse religious traditions and all people of good will may work together for peace.
Evangelization: Consecrated life -- That in this year dedicated to consecrated life, religious men and women may rediscover the joy of following Christ and strive to serve the poor with zeal.
Saturday of the First week in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Saint Ambrose (c.340-397), Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Church
Commentary on Saint Luke's Gospel, 5, 23.27 (SC 45, p.191f. rev.)
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do"
The apostle Paul said: “Take off the old self with its practices and put on the new self” (Col 3,9-10)... This was the work Christ accomplished when he called Levi; he refashioned him into a new man. Similarly, it is as a new person that the former publican prepares a banquet for Christ since Christ takes pleasure in him and he himself merits to have a share in happiness with Christ... He followed him now, happy, lighthearted and overflowing with joy.
“I have the aspect of a publican no more,” he said, “I don't carry around the old Levi any longer; I put off Levi when I put on Christ. I flee from my earlier life; my Lord Jesus, you alone, who heal my wounds, I desire to follow. Who shall separate me from the love of God within you? tribulation? anguish? hunger? (Rom 8,35). I am bound to you by faith as by nails, I am held fast by the worthy bonds of love. All your commandments will be like a cautery that I will apply firmly to my wound; the remedy stings but it takes away the ulcerous infection. Lord Jesus, with your powerful sword cut away the corruption of my sins: come quickly, lance my hidden and varied passions. Purge away all infection in the new bath.
“Listen to me, you people who are fixed to the earth, you whose thoughts are intoxicated by your sins. I, Levi, was also wounded by similar passions. But I found a doctor who dwells in heaven and pours out his remedies on earth. He alone can cure my wounds since he himself has none. He alone can remove the heart's pain and the soul's lethargy, for he knows everything that lies hidden.”