"Madamo nga mga makasasala nga nagsunod kay Jesus"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 2:13-17)

Sabado (Enero 18)

Si Jesus nagbalik liwat sa higad sang Linaw sang Galilea. Nagpalapit sa iya ang madamo nga mga tawo kag nagsugod sia sa pagpanudlo sa ila.

Sang nagapadayon sia sa paglakat, nakita niya ang isa ka manugsukot sang buhis, si Levi nga anak ni Alfeo, nga nagapungko sa iya opisina. Si Jesus nagsiling sa iya, "Sunod ka sa akon." Nagtindog si Levi kag nagsunod sa iya.

Sang ulihi nagkaon si Jesus sa balay ni Levi. May madamo nga mga manugsukot sang buhis kag mga makasasala nga nagsunod kay Jesus, kag ang iban sa ila nagkaon upod sa iya kag sa iya mga gintuton-an.

May pila ka manunudlo sang Kasuguan nga mga Fariseo nga nakakita kay Jesus nga nagkaon upod sa mga makasasala kag mga manugsukot sang buhis. Gani ginpamangkot nila ang iya mga gintuton-an, "Ngaa bala nagakaon sia upod sa mga manugsokot sang buhis kag mga makasasala?"

Nabatian sila ni Jesus kag nagsiling sia, "Ang mga tawo nga wala sing balatian wala nagakinahanglan sang manugbolong, kundi ang mga masakiton lang. Wala ako magkari sa pagtawag sang mga matarong kundi sang mga makasasala."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 4th century)

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Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What draws us to the throne of God's mercy and grace? Mark tells us that many people were drawn to Jesus, including the unwanted and the unlovable, such as the lame, the blind, and the lepers, as well as the homeless such as widows and orphans. But public sinners, like the town prostitutes and corrupt tax collectors, were also drawn to Jesus. In calling Matthew to be one of his disciples, Jesus picked one of the unlikeliest of men – a tax collector who by profession was despised by the people.Why did the religious leaders find fault with Jesus for making friends with sinners and tax collectors like Matthew? The orthodox Jews had a habit of dividing everyone into two groups: those who rigidly kept the law and its minute regulations and those who did not. They latter were treated like second class citizens. The orthodox scrupulously avoided their company, refused to do business with them, refused to give or receive anything from them, refused to intermarry, and avoided any form of entertainment with them, including table fellowship. Jesus' association with the latter, especially with tax collectors and sinners, shocked the sensibilities of these orthodox Jews.

When the Pharisees challenged his unorthodox behavior in eating with public sinners, Jesus' defence was quite simple. A doctor doesn't need to visit healthy people; instead he goes to those who are sick. Jesus likewise sought out those in the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. Jesus came as the divine physician and good shepherd to care for his people and to restore them to wholeness of life.The orthodox were so preoccupied with their own practice of religion that they neglected to help the very people who needed care. Their religion was selfish because they didn't want to have anything to do with people not like themselves. Jesus stated his mission in unequivocal terms: I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners. Ironically the orthodox were as needy as those they despised. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The Lord fills us with his grace and mercy. And he wants us, in turn, to seek the good of our neighbors, including the unlikeable and the trouble-maker by showing them the same kindness and mercy which we have received. Do you thank the Lord for the great kindness and mercy he has shown to you?