+ In Jesus‘ own words, he proclaimed: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
That was true then; and it is still true now.
So just what did he see in those sinners then and those sinners now? Was it potential? Was it an opportunity to grow and change?
Was it so that his powerful and profound love could call forth healing and new life? Was it because sin itself begs to be touched and filled with grace?
Or maybe all of the above?
At any rate, he called and Matthew followed. No one could or would mistake this remarkable sight. A tax collector — pretty much an untouchable and most avoidable soul!
And just how surprised must Matthew have been to hear those words — “follow me” — to be spoken by Jesus.
And yet they were.
And not only that — while Matthew was at supper with Jesus, “many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.”
This was no ordinary teacher. Something very different and very new was happening.
+ In Paul‘s letter to the Ephesians, that new and extraordinary grace given to the disciples of Jesus was noted with such clarity: “Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
And the gifts were many: apostles. Evangelists. Prophets. Pastors. Teachers.
How many of them were sinners? All? To be sure.
How many of us are sinners? All? To be sure.
And precisely for that reason, can we appreciate the gentle and powerful nature of that grace that is able to be poured into our souls, and call forth new life, grace-life and Christ-life?
Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.
