💖 HOMILY - JANUARY 13 💖

First Reading - 1 Samuel 9:1-4,17-29;10:1

Gospel - Mark 2:13-17

To be a disciple of Jesus is a way of life rather than a concept or an idea. It's a way to follow Christ in loving our fellow brothers and sisters, even in their miseries and failures. The readings of today invite us to respond to the invitation of Jesus - "follow me" - in our everyday's life.

The first reading narrates the story of Saul as being anointed the king of Israel. The people made a demand from Samuel for a king and God chooses and anoints a king for them. The passage mentions that Saul was tall and more handsome than anyone in Israel. The physical stoutness suggests his strength to lead and govern the people. However, this also can't be ruled out that Saul lacked spiritual fervor which can be traced from the passage; firstly, he was ignorant about Samuel unlike his young slave, for Samuel was acclaimed by all people as the prophet; and secondly, after futile efforts to find his she-donkeys, he did not think of seeking any spiritual help but it was suggested by his slave that they should seek God's help. The above points show that the future king was devoid of a spiritual sensitivity that looked to the Lord for help.

In the gospel, we hear about the call of Levi. This account of the call of Levi is special because of the response of Levi. He immediately followed Jesus leaving everything (secular world) at his invitation - " Follow me." The invitation of Jesus to Levi to become a part of a close circle of his disciples sounds weird because he was a tax collector, an enemy of his own people, hated for his job and above all considered as a public sinner. Jesus not only calls him to become his disciple and also dines with him at the same table. This incident simply incites and provokes the scribes and Pharisees because by this time Jesus had been already known as a teacher and as a teacher they expected a different behaviour where he would avoid company with sinners and alike like they themselves did. Jesus takes this as an occasion to teach that he has come for the lost and sinners so that they will be won for God. Jesus affirms that it's the lost who need grace from God. It's by showing them mercy, they can be restored to God.

Dear friends, we all stand in need of God's grace. The grace of God cannot be merited but is bestowed on us by God Himself out of his mercy. The first reading mentions that Saul was an able leader but he lacked spiritual fervor or sensitivity. The lack of spiritual fervor or sensitivity can be the cause of our setback in our spiritual life. Jesus, in the gospel of today, underlines that he has come to liberate us from our spiritual setbacks by inviting us in his company. Jesus has called us through our Baptism, forgiven our sins, and welcomed us as members of the Kingdom. In fact, He calls us daily through the Word and through His Church, to be His disciples, and to turn away from all the things that distract us and draw us away from God. Just as Jesus did for us and for Matthew, we also are to reach out to the unwanted and the marginalized in society with God’s own love, mercy and compassion.