Friday of the 13th
Week in Ordinary Time – Matthew 9:9-13
The Gospel reading for today is “the call of Matthew.” Jesus saw Matthew as he walked by Matthew’s
custom post. Jesus said to him, “Follow
me,” and immediately Matthew got up and followed Jesus.
Matthew then invited Jesus and the disciples to his home to
share a meal. Many tax collectors and
sinners also were invited to the meal and they sat in the midst of Jesus and
his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they were scandalized. They asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your
teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
However, the disciples did not have a chance to respond to the
question. Jesus had heard their question
and he said to the Pharisees: “Those who are well do not have need of a
physician, the sick do. Go and learn the
meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” Jesus then continued, “I
have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Pope Francis is a wonderful example in our day of a person
who truly follows in Jesus’ footsteps. He reaches out to the poor, the needy,
and the disenfranchised. He is a man who
embodies the grace of joy. Joy flows out
from his being.
Today Jesus is calling us to follow him. Will we follow him with a joyful and merciful
heart? Our world is in desperate need of joy and mercy. If we share our joy and mercy with others
today, we may find that joy and mercy will return to us a hundredfold!
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