Mark 2:13-17

Hebrews 4:12-16

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

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 God, the world easily attracts all my attention. I can be like Levi with my head buried in numbers and money. Lift my gaze to see your Son calling me to follow him. Give me the strength to leave my earthly customs post behind and dine with your Son at the heavenly banquet.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Second Conflict: In the first conflict, narrated yesterday in Mark’s Gospel, the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy. Today the local scribes who belonged to the Pharisees accuse Jesus of associating with tax collectors and public sinners. The Pharisees were a reform movement that sought to attain and maintain ritual purity through strict obedience to the Law of Moses and their traditions. They wanted nothing to do with the Roman Gentiles who occupied the land or with the people who collaborated with them, such as tax collectors. They can’t believe that Jesus and his disciples are having a meal in the house of Levi, a tax collector, and dining with other tax collectors and public sinners. Just as the scribes did not openly accuse Jesus of blasphemy, but did so in the thoughts of their hearts, the Pharisees did not directly accuse Jesus, but went to his disciples and tried to undermine their commitment to him.

2. Jesus, the Physician for Sinners: Jesus heard their question and responded by giving a deeper insight into his person and ministry. On the one hand, he identifies himself as a physician. From Mark’s Gospel, we know that Jesus does not just heal physical ailments, but is also capable of healing spiritual ones. He can cast out demons and forgive sins. On the other, Jesus’ ministry is directed to sinners: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” This contains a riddle for the Pharisees, who thought that they were righteous because of their meticulous fulfillment of the Law of Moses. As Paul will later teach, the works of the Law of Moses were unable to justify or make someone righteous. We are justified, not by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus. The Pharisees were blind to their sin. They didn’t recognize that they needed Jesus, the divine physician, to heal their sickness. They thought that they could be in a right relationship with God through their works. As Christians, however, we know that only the grace of God can justify us and that the only works that are meritorious for eternal life are those works of charity empowered by divine grace.

3. Confidently Approach the Throne of Grace: The Letter to the Hebrews exhorts us to confidently approach the throne of divine grace. Because God’s Word is powerful enough, like a sharp sword, to expose our innermost thoughts and desires, we could be tempted to remain in fear. And yet the letter tells us that when we become aware of ourselves as we truly are, we will recognize our need for a trustworthy and merciful high priest to advocate and intercede before God on our behalf. The letter proclaims that we have such a great high priest, Jesus Christ. Aware of this truth we can confidently approach the throne of grace not out of presumption but because of the mercy of Jesus, our high priest. Jesus is the great high priest, and his priestly ministry surpasses all other high priests in power and efficacy. The ancient Levitical and Aaronic priests passed through the veil of the sanctuary of the earthly temple; Jesus, by contrast, has passed the veil of the heavens into the heavenly sanctuary where God dwells. This is the place of his priestly intercession for us. 

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your Apostle Levi, rose from sitting at his customs post and sat down with you in his house for a meal. Enable me to do the same each day, to leave aside the cares and worries of the present age and experience the transforming and eternal life you offer.

Living the Word of God: How often do I imitate the Pharisees and judge others wrongfully? Do I leave the judgment of the human heart to God? How am I wrongfully judging my spouse, children, coworkers, friends, and relatives? How can I see people primarily as brothers and sisters in need of God’s mercy? Do I rejoice with others when they experience God’s mercy or do I continue to harshly judge them and disassociate with them?