Daily Word Of God
Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was walking he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
Now while he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
When he heard this he replied, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- The hearts of the Pharisees were hardened by self-righteousness and prejudice about who Jesus is and what He taught. Thus they refused the mercy and Good News of Salvation that Jesus proclaimed.
- However, Matthew who was probably despised by his community enabled him to be open to the Truth of the Good News that Jesus was proclaiming. He responded eagerly and promptly when Jesus called him.
- Jesus is also calling, forgiving and loving me unconditionally. What is my response to Him? Ponder on whether I am like Matthew, that my heart will be open and desire to be transformed by Jesus’ love and mercy for me.