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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.” Mark
2:16–17
Today’s Gospel presents very good news: Jesus “did not come to call
the righteous but sinners.” None of us is righteous; we are all
sinners. From the divine perspective, each of us is in need of
God’s mercy. Admitting this truth and embracing God’s mercy is
often difficult for two reasons.
First, we might struggle to view our lives honestly through God’s
eyes. This often stems from pride—the sin that gives us a false,
elevated image of ourselves. Pride distorts reality, making it
difficult to see our weaknesses. Secondly, we often fail to admit
our sinfulness because we fail to recognize God’s mercy. If we did
recognize and understand God’s infinite mercy, we would not fear to
acknowledge our sins.
Imagine this: In an ancient kingdom, a person breaks the law, is
arrested, and is brought before the king. Out of fear of
punishment, the person might try to hide the truth or downplay the
crime. But what if the king were perfectly merciful, only desiring
the conversion of his subjects and not their punishment? The guilty
person would have no reason to hide. Instead, he could admit his
guilt, express sorrow, and resolve to change. In response, the king
would not only forgive him but also offer everything necessary to
help him begin anew.
This is our God. We do not need to fear being honest with ourselves
or with Him. He is the Divine Physician, and we are the sick who
need His healing touch. We need to see our sins clearly, confess
them humbly, and rely on God’s mercy to change.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls the tax collector Levi—also known as
Matthew—to follow Him. Levi was a Jew who cooperated with the Roman
occupiers, burdening his fellow Jews with unjust taxes. He likely
used fear and intimidation to extract more than was owed, enriching
himself at their expense. As a result, Levi would have experienced
deep guilt and the disdain of Jewish authorities, including the
scribes and Pharisees.
Although we do not know the exact workings of Levi’s soul when
Jesus called him, we do know his response: He left his customs
post, changed his life, and followed Jesus. Levi then welcomed
Jesus and His disciples into his home for a meal, where other tax
collectors and sinners were present.
The fact that these sinners gathered at Levi’s table and shared a
meal with Jesus reveals something extraordinary: They sensed His
merciful heart. In Jesus’ presence, they did not feel condemned but
loved. His gaze was one of healing, not judgment, inviting them to
a new life. That meal was, in essence, a sinners’ gathering—souls
who found in Jesus the freedom and hope to change.
The scribes and Pharisees, in contrast, represent more than
judgmental attitudes. They symbolize the thoughts of guilt, shame,
and unworthiness that often plague those who struggle with habitual
sin. These inner voices can lead us to fear repentance, falsely
believing that our sins are too great for God’s mercy. We must
reject those voices and remember Jesus’ words: “Those who are well
do not need a physician, but the sick do.”
Reflect today on the freedom that awaits those who discover Jesus
as the Divine Physician who heals our wounds. If you allow guilt,
shame, or fear to keep you from God’s mercy, then place yourself at
that sinners’ meal with Jesus. Sin is a heavy burden to carry, but
like Levi, we are invited to turn away from it with humble
repentance. Let God forgive your past, heal your wounds, and lead
you forward as His disciple.
Lord Jesus, Divine Physician, You are perfectly merciful,
desiring to heal sinners, not condemn them. Please help me to see
my sins honestly and to trust in Your boundless mercy without fear.
May I respond to Your call with humble repentance and follow You
with a faithful heart. Jesus, I trust in You.
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