Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 13, 2024

Date:   Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Mark 2:13-17

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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today from Mark shows us Jesus’ continued mission, teaching the crowds of the love of the Father. Upon seeing Levi (Matthew) at his post, Jesus called him to follow, and Levi did just that immediately.

Next Mark tells us of Jesus dining with tax collectors like Levi and “sinners” who had heard Jesus’ teaching and followed Him. Religious authorities witnessing Jesus dining with “outcasts” – sinners and tax collectors – approached Jesus’ disciples to question this behavior. But Jesus, hearing this, responded for himself and his mission: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”  

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

As Christ’s disciple, do I seek out the least, the lost, the outcasts as Jesus did? Do I intentionally seek those who may not know of the love of the LORD for them?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved Son to reveal your love for us even though we are sinners, and You asked of him the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation, to give His own life upon a cross as an outcast for us, for sinners. Send your Spirit to stir within us that sense of purpose and mission to bring your love to all, especially those who are lost or are marginalized in our society. Grant that we may pick up my cross and follow Christ as his disciples with all the joy and passion of Christ. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one Lord, forever and ever. Amen.