REFLECTIONS TODAY
Galileans in Jesus’ time were burdened by state taxes paid to Rome and Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee who imposed direct taxes on land properties and individuals (head taxes). Indirect taxes were also imposed on transit trade and market exchanges in Capernaum, an important fishing locale. Fishing was not a “free enterprise” for fishermen around the Sea of Galilee.
Fishermen could not simply take their boats out to the sea, like fishermen in the Philippines do. Herod Antipas, through the local rulers, sold fishing rights to “brokers” (telonai, commonly translated as “tax collectors”). These, in turn, contracted with fishermen. The fishermen might contract partners and hired laborers to help with all activities.
Levi (in Mark and Luke, “Matthew” in Matthew) is probably a broker or contractor of royal fishing rights. As such, he may have bidden leases to fishing families like those of Simon and Andrew, and Zebedee and his sons. As tax collectors were branded as sinners, there would have been eyebrows raised among the first disciples when Jesus called Levi to join their group.
The Pharisees, on the other hand, share their surprise and displeasure with Jesus’ disciples. By answering that those who are well do not need a physician, Jesus is implying ironically that the Pharisees are more ill than those they call “sinners.” Affirming that these outcasts need healing, Jesus neither condemns nor ostracizes them but loves them and sits down to a meal with them.
We are invited to focus on the love and mercy of Jesus, rather than on the sinfulness and unworthiness of people. How do you hearken to this invitation?
First Reading • Heb 4:12-16
The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
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.
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 sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he 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: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.