Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 14, 2023
Jesus went out along the sea.
All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the customs post.
Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners
and tax collectors and said to his disciples,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Tax collectors—despised at the time of Jesus’ ministry and in 2023. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus calls Levi from his customs post to follow him and then dines with other tax collectors and sinners in Levi’s home.
The Jewish population despised tax collectors because they were often corrupt, working in concert with their Roman occupiers and personally profiting from collecting taxes or tolls over what was required by Rome.
The Internal Revenue Service or IRS, is the “tax collector” Americans now demonize and identify as a source of ire. As an attorney dealing with tax issues, I have interacted with countless IRS personnel over many years as a significant part of my practice.
Some of those encounters have been unpleasant, while most of those interactions have featured dedicated and courteous IRS personnel helping me solve my client’s problem.
Whether it is the IRS or someone of a different political or ethnic orientation, we are too often quick to judge and deride a person because they are “not like us” or do not share our views. Jesus recognized this trait among the Pharisees, who considered themselves righteous but were blind to the fact that, just like the tax collectors, they were sinners in need of his healing message.
A quote attributed to several authors states, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” As we embark on another new year, let us remember that we are all sinners in need of Jesus’ love. May we heed his example by welcoming those of a different orientation with kindness, understanding, and love.
Prayer
Christ our good shepherd, you tirelessly seek out the lost and give strength to the weary sinner. In your unfathomable mercy, you never cease to pour out blessings upon those who despair of finding you. Help us to extend this same spirit of consolation to our brothers and sisters in need, and may we always imitate your example of tender care towards the marginalized. We ask this in your Name. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Macrina the Elder was the matriarch of a famously faithful family—her son and four of her grandchildren were named saints.
Two of these grandsons helped shape the faith that we proclaim today—Basil the Great, a doctor of the Church, and his brother, Gregory of Nyssa, who helped the Church better articulate her understanding of the Trinity. Both of these men played crucial roles in formulating the Nicene Creed that Catholics still recite every Sunday at Mass. Macrina raised both of these men and their influential younger sister, Macrina the Younger. She gave all these great saints their first religious instruction as children.
During a persecution of Christians, Macrina was forced to flee with her husband to safety. They left their home and hid in the woods for seven years. They were often hungry and had to live off of the land and whatever animals they could hunt. Not long after they were finally allowed to go home, another round of persecution took effect, and their possessions were confiscated.
Despite all these trials and tribulations, Macrina lived a long life and died around the year 340. She is a patron saint of widows and those facing poverty.
St. Macrina the Elder, grandmother who raised a great family for the Church—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Macrina the Elder is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed November 22, 2024.