Daily Reflections
Luke 5:27-32
The vast majority of the readers of Bible Alive are involved in their parishes all over the world. Many are Mass Readers and Eucharistic Ministers; others are involved in all manner of ministries within their parish communities. The vast majority have known the blessing of God in their lives and have practised their faith for a long time. They are upstanding and wonderful people making a contribution not only to their parish communities but to society at large.
Because of the incredible generosity of these readers, we are also able to send our magazine into prisons all over the world, where many have experienced radical and life-changing conversions from destructive lifestyles. Some of our readers in prison are incarcerated for committing pretty heinous crimes. We send the magazine to convicted murderers, paedophiles, bank robbers, thieves and so on. You name the crime, we have readers who are doing the time. That’s the point, though, isn’t it? There but for the grace of God go you and I.
Jesus did not come to call the righteous but the unrighteous. We are all beggars before the throne of God. We are all in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. One thing is for sure, tax collectors have never been liked, but in first-century Palestine they were really no more than traitors and were especially despised, reviled and hated by the people. If a man is judged by the company he keeps, then Jesus was judged harshly for his embrace of Levi (Matthew). Jesus would, however, have none of it and in effect said, ‘I came to call precisely those whom you may think are not only beyond the pale but beyond redemption, for no one is beyond my healing and mercy.’
This is what makes the gospel so scandalous. The truth is that we are all sick and in need of healing. In fact we are all in desperate need. How do we know this? Well, just look into your own heart. The Holy Spirit is quick to shed his light into the dark recesses of our desires, motivations and sins. We all enter the kingdom of God on our knees, asking God for mercy and forgiveness. We are united in solidarity to each other not because of our righteousness but our unrighteousness.
Lord, help me to respond like Levi, immediately and generously, and restore to me the joy of salvation, which is the joy of knowing your mercy and forgiveness in my life.
Isaiah 58:9-14 • Psalm 85(86):1-6
Luke 5:27-32
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