Mission of Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text:  He went out again beside the sea; and all the crowd gathered about him, and he taught them. 14 And as he passed on, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he sat at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:13-17

Reflection: Jesus’ action to sit with tax collectors and sinners went against the norms of the day. These were known offenders whom people of spiritual stature would love to disdain and keep away from.

Probably the custom may have been so strong that these Scribes of the Pharisees did not care for their wealth because those who carried the tag of spirituality already had the abundance on account of the strict laws on tithing and what is more they did carry a honorable place in society too.

So what was the big deal for the scribes of the Pharisees to reject these? But was it not a inhuman act to do so?

On the other hand, even though Jesus’ action was a great and noble act, we have many in our days who may score better when it comes to non-discriminatory attitude towards others.

A good and kind politician may do it better still and so too a man on the street yet the truth is that no one does it without some motive or the other. Even beneath the pure motive is a motive which is always allured with human sinfulness. 

Jesus too had his motives to reach out to these: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (vs. 17) His motive was the very purpose for which he came, the goal and vision, to do good, which he passes on to all those who follow him.

To judge their motives and to condemn it belongs to the ones who have a purer motive than those whose motives are not aligned to Christ as the goal of their lives.

It is the goal of Jesus which we all must strive, no matter what judgment and condemnation may be issued against his followers for seeking to proselytize but the dedicated disciple must stay at it.

Prayer:  Lord teach me to be true and faithful to your calling and never let me be parted from it.

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