Gospel: Luke
5:27-32
Jesus saw
a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him,
"Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed
him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of
tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their
scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink
with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "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."
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Reflection:
What made
Jesus call Levi to follow Him and what made Levi leave everything behind to
follow Jesus? Of course the main reason was Levi is a sinner and he was tired
of living a life of sin. Therefore when Levi was called by Jesus he throw
caution to the wind to follow Jesus. For he knew that at long last there is
someone who’s not judging him. And someone who’s willing to give him a second
chance to live life away from sin.
In this
gospel episode Jesus gives us valuable lesson on how we can call others to
conversion. First is let us not be judgmental with those whom we perceive as
sinners. Who are we to judge when we are sinners also? Second is let us always
give others a second chance no matter how sinful they are.
There are
many who are itching to live their lives away from sin but no one is willing to
give them a second chance. It seems to them that almost everyone is condemning
them. If only we know that they are already sick and tired of living in sin. If
only we know that they are just waiting for us to call them to a life of
renewal.
During
this season of lent let us make it our vow not to be judgmental. Let us make it
our vow to give those whom we perceive as sinners a second chance. There are
sinners because there are people who are judgmental and people who are not
willing to give them a second chance. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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