Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 17, 2024

Date:   Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Scripture Text:  Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today from Luke recounts Jesus’ call of Levi (Matthew), a tax collector. Afterwards, Levi gave a great banquet inviting his own friends and colleagues to meet Jesus. When Jesus was questioned about why He would knowingly and willingly spend time with “tax collectors and sinners,” Jesus response reminds us of our own sins and our own need for Jesus in our lives. We are the sinners Jesus calls to repentance today.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I acknowledge my own sins? Do I seek to repent? Do I seek to invite others, my friends and colleagues to encounter Christ?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, most beloved and only-begotten son of God, we come before You this day, aware of your mission to redeem humanity and of your call to sinners to repent. As we begin our Lenten journeys, help us to acknowledge our sins, to repent, and to turn again to You and to our all-loving and Almighty Father. Send your Spirit to stir within us not only the will to repent but also the will to live as You call us to live, as daughters and sons of the loving LORD and as your disciples. Amen.