Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 2, 2021
As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Reflection
When I learned to read, I occasionally discovered an unfamiliar word and needed its definition before proceeding. I would approach my mom and ask her to explain it; unfailingly she advised, “Go look it up in the dictionary.” Still, I asked her about every foreign word and her guidance remained the same, encouraging me to go and learn the meaning of the word for myself. I grew to see the value in her approach with time.
My mother’s guidance echoes in Jesus’ words from today’s gospel: “Go and learn the meaning of the words: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Jesus, ever our teacher, directs the Pharisees to go and learn the meaning of mercy, rather than questioning his choice of unfavorable mealtime companions.
I know firsthand God’s mercy in my own life; it arrives often in the form of graces and gifts that I don’t deserve. Yet when I consider the word mercy, I’m flooded first with images from literature, theatre, and scripture featuring dramatic scenes of mercy. I think of Jean Valjean receiving a second chance to become an honest man, a teary-eyed Maria, struggling in service to the Von Trapp family, or of Bartimaeus, the blind man, pleading for the gift of sight. I’m familiar with the drama of fervent prayer for God’s mercy. Today’s gospel challenges me to consider how I can exercise mercy in my daily life, perhaps even in quiet, non-sensational ways that may go unnoticed by others.
Do I act as Jesus did and welcome all into my home, for example? Is there room at my table for proverbial tax collectors and sinners? This is not only a question of space—would my table seem insufficient without them?
Who welcomes me to their table without judgment or question?
Merciful God, guide my hands, heart, and mind to learn the words and actions of mercy, and stay close to me as I practice them in faith.
Prayer
“Follow me.” Lord, you spoke two simple words and they changed Matthew’s life forever. You speak those same words to each one of us “Follow me” and our response changes our lives forever. Thank you for inviting us to follow you. Like Matthew, the tax collector, help us know our own “sickness” and thus our great need for you. Help us to know our need for your mercy which you give to us freely and without reservation. We pray this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Pierre of Luxembourg was born in 1369 to a noble French family. Before he had turned five, Pierre had lost both of his parents. His aunt, a wealthy countess, raised him in Paris.
Pierre was the second eldest child of a family of six, and he felt a deep sense of responsibility for his siblings. In 1381, Pierre turned himself into the English in exchange for the freedom of his brother, who was being held hostage. The British court was astonished by the self-giving love of this brother. King Richard II offered Pierre a place of honor in his court. But Pierre refused, as he was studying to become a priest.
Pierre became a canon for two of the most important churches in France. In 1384, he was elected a canon of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, and then, two years later, he was appointed a canon for Notre Dame de Chartres. These responsibilities prepared him for his next ecclesial role as bishop.
Pierre lived in France during the turbulent years of the Western Schism, during which France supported the antipope. Pierre was appointed the Bishop of Metz by the Antipope Clement VII. Reportedly, Pierre rode into his new see on a mule, barefoot, a sign of great humility and poverty. The townspeople of Metz loved their humble, holy bishop greatly.
Pierre attempted multiple times to resolve the Western Schism, as he was a bishop who had great influence over Antipope Clement. He was invited to join the antipapal court at Avignon, where he died in 1387, of illness many say was a result of the severe penances he placed upon himself.
As in his life, the Western Schism interrupted Pierre's story after his death. His beatification process was begun and aborted many times. Until, finally, well after the resolution of the Western Schism, Pope Clement VII beatified Pierre in 1527.
Blessed Pierre of Luxembourg, beloved Bishop of Metz—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Bl. Pierre of Luxembourg is in the public domain. Last accessed March 19, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
