Gospel: Luke 5:27-32
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:
There is a story of a sinner who wanted to change his
ways. So he gathered enough courage and presented himself to his parents to ask
for forgiveness. But the parents did not forgive him they instead condemned him
as good for nothing and useless.
In the days that followed they received a call that
their son ended his life. If only they were not judgmental they could have
saved a life and became an instrument of conversion. But they choose not to
forgive.
How do you treat sinners? Are you quick to condemn
them for who they are? Or you are patient with them and even build bridges with
them so that they would also feel the love and forgiveness of Jesus?
When we judge sinners we also immediately cut off the
chance for us to be an instrument of their healing and conversion. We are also
pushing them deeper into the mud of sin. But why are we judgmental when we are
sinners as well? Why are we judgmental when we are not perfect, when we too are
subject to judgment?
When Jesus saw the tax collector named Levi who was
labelled as a sinner by those who knew him. Jesus did not condemn the tax
collector He instead asked Levi to follow Him and this sinner left everything
to follow the Lord. Here we see the redemptive result when we don’t judge and
condemn.
In the heart of hearts of every sinner rest a sacred
place that is reserved for someone who will not judge them. A sacred place
exclusively for those who would be willing to forgive them and help them get up
and start a new life hand in hand with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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