To celebrate Our Lord’s calling to follow Him, Saint Matthew throws a party for friends (Matthew 9:10). For sure, it is quite an impressive gathering of sinners!
Jesus, too, is there. Our Lord is eager to meet the friends of Saint Matthew – so much so that He gladly comes to Saint Matthew’s home. To the strident criticism raised by some zealous religious leaders for keeping such corrupt company, Jesus offers a pithy response: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do” (Matthew 9:12).
By means of His actions, Jesus shows us to be open to everyone. That is, we never are to be indifferent, instead always and everywhere seeking to lead people closer to Jesus and to help win people over the Christian faith.
- Do we consistently show kindness to those whom we meet?
- Do we interact courteously even with those who seem furthest removed from the faith?
