Jesus is not striking a condemnatory tone when he says to the Pharisees, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). Nor is he talking from a place of arrogance and looking down on them. He is revealing the truth that we all fall short of the glory of God, we all sin and the sooner we embrace this truth and allow Jesus into our lives, our healing and can begin. Also, we will experience more peace when we are freed from the lies of the enemy that keep us bound.
If we don’t believe we need his help, as did many of the Pharisees, Jesus will respect that. Although Jesus knows and wants to forgive and heal us, he will remain close but not impose. He will wait for that time when we are ready to let him in and accept his invitation as he did with Matthew.
When Jesus saw him, he did not condemn or expose Matthew for any shady tax deals, he said, “Follow me.” And Matthew wisely did so. Jesus invited him to see the world from a different perspective, from his. As he spent time with Jesus, Matthew let go of the old and that which may had appeared good to him at one time, but in the light of the love of Jesus came to realize that what he chose to focus his time and energy on were apparent goods.
The enemy and father of lies entices us, seduces us, and attempts to lead us astray with half-truths, false promises, and with each step we take in his direction condemns us for each temptation that we trip over. Then he manipulates and tries to isolate us in shame, to tempt us with how bad we are, that no one will love us if they know what we have done, even God will not forgive us. We begin to forget who and whose we are.
Jesus is reminding us in today’s gospel who and whose we are. We are God’s beloved daughter and son. God loves us no matter how far we think we have walked away from him. The good news is no matter how far away we think we have walked or crawled, Jesus is right by our side waiting for us.
Even if you feel you have fallen face first into a figurative mud puddle of how much you think you have messed something up now, recently, or in the past, all you need to do is turn your head to the side. As you blink and wipe the mud and water out of your eyes, you will see Jesus, face to face with you. He greets you there with his loving smile, and then he extends his hand and says, “Follow me.”
I invite you to keep your eyes on Jesus and place your hand in his. Share with him what you feel is buried in the dark. He will forgive you and love you as you trust him. There is nothing that is beyond Jesus’ forgiveness. Nada. In fact, he’s already died for the worst sin you can think of. Then at your next opportunity go to confession and you will be clean, free, forgiven, loved, and ready to begin again.
Painting: One of my favorites, Caravaggio’s Calling of St. Matthew
Spiritual Stepping Stones 