Daily Mass Gospel Reflection- Continuing Conversion

Word on Fire Ministry ^ | 7-2-2021 | Aux. Bishop R. Barron

[MurphsLaw]

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 9:9-13

Friends, our Gospel for today is the simple but magnificent story of the conversion of Matthew. I urge you to read it and meditate upon it this week, for it’s about you. The Bible says that Jesus told Matthew, “Follow me.” The call of Jesus is meant to get into your mind, and then past your mind into your body, and then through your body into your life, into your most practical decisions.

And then we hear that Matthew “got up and followed him.” The verb used here in the Greek is the same verb used to describe the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead: Matthew rose. Conversion means a transition into a higher life, arising from a preoccupation with the goods of the world and a reorientation to the things of God.

Then we hear what happened after Matthew’s conversion: “And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.” This deeply annoys the Pharisees, who ask of Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” The answer is that Jesus loves sinners, and he doesn’t require perfection before he approaches them.

[MurphsLaw]

10 +++And it came to pass as he was
sitting at meat in the house, behold many
publicans and sinners came, and sat down
with Jesus and his disciples.

11 And the Pharisees seeing it, said to
his disciples: Why doth your master eat
with publicans and sinners?

12 But Jesus hearing it, said: They that
are in health need not a physician, but
they that are ill.

13 Go then and learn what this meaneth, I
will have mercy and not sacrifice.
For I am
not come to call the just, but sinners.