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 was a
sinner and he was tired of living a life of sin. Therefore when Levi was called
by Jesus he threw 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.
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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