Mark 2:13-17

1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1

Psalm 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, you call me today to be a saint, to pass from the darkness of sin to the light of your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill my soul with your holiness and grace so that, like Levi, I can leave everything and follow you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Call of King Saul: Saul and his servants were having trouble finding the lost sheep of his father, Kish. When Saul learned that there was a seer – a prophet – in the nearby city, he decided to consult him about the sheep. It was revealed earlier to the prophet Samuel that he would encounter a man from the tribe of Benjamin who would be chosen by the Lord God to be the leader of his people. When Samuel saw Saul for the first time, the Lord confirmed that this was the man chosen to be the ruler of his people. Saul was tall and handsome and had many physical attributes and human qualities to be the king and political leader of Israel. He was a valiant and successful warrior and was even a prophet (1 Samuel 10-11). 

2. The Defects of King Saul: At the same time, Saul had many serious defects. He was given to pride, arrogance, and disobedience. He was impatient and took upon himself the role of a priest and offered the sacrifice before battle (1 Samuel 13:8-9). He uttered a rash oath and curse that marred the victory of Israel and fell upon the head of his son, Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:24-46). Saul disobeyed Samuel’s command to utterly destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:1-22). For assuming the rights of the priesthood, Samuel lost his dynasty. For disobeying Samuel’s command, Samuel lost his kingship. Saul never manifested true repentance when he was confronted for his sins. His pride and arrogance led him to continually choose his own will over God’s will. He lied about the intention of his actions. Saul was a man who sinned and chose to remain in his sin rather than seek God’s mercy.

3. Levi: The Public Sinner who became a Saint: In contrast to Saul, we have the tax collector, Levi, who can be identified as the future apostle Matthew. As an apostle, Levi was chosen to be a leader of God’s people and sit on a throne, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (see Luke 22:30). As a tax collector, Levi, is considered to be a public sinner. Levi leaves aside his sinful life and begins a new life with Christ. Unlike Saul, Levi does not fail in his mission. He remained united to the vine of Christ and was able to bear fruit for the kingdom of God.

Conversing with Christ: Lord, you transformed the life of Levi. He was involved with the affairs of this world, yet had a heart open to your word. Many times I am like Levi, immersed in the things of this world, yet I long to hear your voice calling me to leave everything and follow you. Call me by name today, challenge me to follow you, and give me the strength to persevere on the path.

Resolution: The question posed to us in today’s readings is this: Will we give in to our pride like Saul and fail to respond to God with love and seek forgiveness and mercy? Or will we allow Christ into our lives and allow him to heal us and lead us to the Father?