Mt. 9: 9-13

Gospel Reading

Mt. 9: 9-13
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

REFLECTION
In today’s Gospel, Jesus did not limit His healing ministry only to the physically sick, but also and especially to the spiritually sick— the sinners. Nowadays, stress is considered number one killer. And I presume that one of the greatest causes of stress is sin. No matter how a sinner claims innocence and poses to be healthy and strong, his conscience haunts him/her unceasingly. I wonder whether the perpetrator of extra judicial killings, the massive killings of the innocent people, destroyer of our nature and abuser of our environment also feels the same. I wonder whether the people behind the abuse and violations against human rights and ultimately against the protection of life also feels the haunting of their conscience. And I wonder whether during the declaration of Martial law, which coincidentally commemorates today, still haunting for justice especially for those family of desaparacidos. And a lot more of wonderings about the fate of the sinners. Jesus Himself said that He did not come for the just but for the sinners. How did he heals the sinner? More than genuine repentance, I suppose social justice and reconciliation must be attained first before true healings take place. Just like Jesus who took the initiative of reaching out to these sinners, forgiving them, befriending them, eating with them, offering them salvation. And ultimately, on the part of the sinners, to respond to the invitation of Jesus to “Come and follow Me”.

LGP
The continuing service for mankind in the form of reverence for life, and the protection of human life, and the preservation of dignity of the human person, are, but the core values whom the Lasallians continue to promote in all its ministry. As members of this institution, we are continually challenge to take part in the holistic social transformation in our respective works.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you have come for us, sinners. Help us to recognize our own sinfulness so that we are worthy to come and follow You, in Your Mighty Name with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, Amen.
Our Lady of the Star, pray for us.
St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Value: Spirit of Faith (Nurturing Faith)
Culture Theme: We nurture our relationship with God.
Productivity Theme: Norms of Piety.
Week 4: We surrender to God’s providence.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved date, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/
DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved date, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by: Menard C. Majaba