Sinners in need of a Savior

Sisters and brothers in Christ, today (9/21) is the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls Matthew. . . [Jesus] said to [Matthew], "'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him." At the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells the Pharisees: "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. . . I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

As I reflected on the Gospel, I thought to myself, for the sick to need a physician they need to come to terms with the fact that they are sick and in need of a physician. Many (myself included) fear going to the doctor because we do not want to hear how bad our health is or what we need to do to be healthier.

It is the same with sinners. We often times do not want to think of ourselves as sinners. And we do not want to do what it takes to repent and believe in God. We convince ourselves that we are good people. However, we can be good people and be a sinner if we live a lifestyle that is contrary to Church teachings. We can be good people and be a sinner if we, of our own freewill, choose not to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligations.

Saint Matthew answered Jesus' call and followed him because Saint Matthew knew he was a sinner in need of Christ's love and mercy. Unless we know, and come to terms with the fact, that we are sinners in need of a Savior, then most likely we will not answer Jesus' call and follow him. Let us humble ourselves as Saint Matthew did and repent and follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician of our soul and spirit.

. . .

Gospel of the Day

As Jesus passed by,

he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.

He said to him, “Follow me.”

And he got up and followed him.

While he was at table in his house,

many tax collectors and sinners came

and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

He heard this and said,

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

Go and learn the meaning of the words,

    I desire mercy, not sacrifice.

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”