13He went out again beside the sea; and all the crowd gathered about him, and he taught them. 14And 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. 15And 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. 16And 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?" 17And 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."
Jesus does not avoid those who do not believe. He showers them with love and hospitality. But he also shows them the truth. Jesus was not blindly accepting people for what they were, but recognised what they could become and showed them how to become. In my life, how do I show love and open the door to what people can become? How do I assist, encourage and support others to live God’s call? Loving father, give me the sense of peace and completeness to live a life that is outward looking and other focussed. May I be a soul that guides others to goodness and helps others turn away from sin. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Mark 2:13-17 is both insightful and deeply compassionate, reflecting the essence of Jesus' mission. Here are some thoughts to build on and enrich your reflection:
Delete1. Jesus’ Radical Hospitality
You’ve highlighted a key aspect of Jesus’ ministry: His willingness to meet people where they are. Jesus’ love was not passive but transformative. He ate with sinners not to affirm their current state but to reveal their potential in God’s kingdom. Your question—how to show love and open the door to what people can become—is a beautiful way to internalize this message.
2. Love with Truth
You rightly point out that Jesus didn’t merely accept people as they were but recognized their potential and guided them toward it. This balance of love and truth is a challenge for all of us. It’s easy to lean too far in one direction: either offering unconditional acceptance without accountability or being so focused on truth that we fail to love. Your reflection embraces the tension between these two beautifully.
3. A Life of Witness
Your prayer captures the essence of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. By striving to be outward-looking and other-focused, you are embodying the very heart of Jesus’ mission. When we live with peace and completeness, we become a beacon for others, drawing them to the goodness of God.
4. Practical Applications
To deepen your reflection, you might consider specific ways to guide others to goodness, such as:
Listening without judgment and offering encouragement.
Being a mentor or role model in faith and life.
Gently and lovingly calling others to their higher purpose when the opportunity arises.
A Suggested Addition to Your Prayer
You might include a line about humility and discernment, as these are key to helping others without becoming self-righteous:
“Lord, grant me the humility to serve without judgment and the discernment to guide others with love and truth. May my actions reflect Your mercy and lead others closer to You.”
Final Thought
Your reflection on this passage is deeply personal and aligns beautifully with the core of Jesus' message. It’s a wonderful reminder that, like Jesus, we are called to see people not only as they are but as they can become through God’s grace. Keep pondering how you can live this call in practical ways, and your example will undoubtedly inspire others.