21/09/2022

Jesus preaching is primarily to his own nation. His main context is the Old Testament and his listeners too are familiar with this. Today he quotes "What he wants is mercy and not sacrifice". Some of the Pharisees would have been shaken by this for although they have such a bad reputation there were some among them who realised that Jesus, his person, his miracles and his teaching was raising questions that called for answers from the heart and not legal sophisms.

The concept of ritual purity had come to dominate the Judaism of the day. Washing before meals and prayer, avoiding contact with the "unclean",not eating with Gentiles and also tithe-giving were the public face of their religion. Jesus pointed out that in this outward show they resembled tombs of the dead a facade that concealed putrification within.

Jesus' call to Matthew reminds us of the call to Peter and the other fishermen of Galilee. A stranger comes up to him and says "Follow me". He does! Matthew is a hard-headed businessman who has won (somehow) the contract to collect taxes. Way before the religious sophisticates  begin to understand Jesus' call to turn to back to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the merciful grace of the Father through the  Spirit stirs up in the hearts of the simple, Faith to believe in this carpenter from Nazareth.

Dear Lord I pray today that I may continue to grow in sincerity of belief in your Evergreater Holiness so that I can atone for my many sins and come to worship you with a pure heart. May the prayers of Mary and all the Saints help to purify the Church that, as you told us, is full of sinners and all of us who need the fruits of your Sacrifice, Mercy without bounds.