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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider He got up and followed Jesus

He got up and followed Jesus

Published Jan 12, 2024 04:47 pm

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Gird your loins

The call of the tax collector Levi (Matthew) highlights the mercy of God that turns sinners to righteous men and women. In fact, the most convincing proclaimers of God’s pardon and reconciliation are those people who have been emancipated from the stigma of sinfulness and given a fresh start in life. Levi becomes a credible witness to his fellow tax collectors who are branded as sinners by the Jews since they collaborate with the Roman authorities in collecting tributes and taxes for Rome, a reminder to the Jews that they are a subdued people. 


The call of Levi is very memorable to Pope Francis. On September 21, 1953, the feast of St. Matthew, the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio went to confession and in a very special way experienced the loving presence of God. He felt his heart touched and sensed the descent of the Mercy of God. He took to priesthood as a Jesuit and when named bishop, chose as his coat of arms the words Miserando atque Eligendo, taken from the homily of Venerable Bede: “Jesus therefore sees the tax collector, and since he sees by having mercy and by choosing, he says to him, ‘follow me.’” Pope Francis retains this motto in the papal coat of arms and chooses it as his program of life.

Gospel • 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.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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