Wickedness

Today’s verse before the Gospel reads: I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live. (Ezekiel 33:11)  

The Gospel continues: Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners” (Luke 5:27-32).  

I suspect we know of many wicked men, and women. Admittedly, many of us do take pleasure in their deaths, or at least have no sorrow at their demise along with their wickedness. 

Let’s face it.  It is best to forgive the wicked ones, but when the wicked do not convert, do not repent, and have no remorse, forgiveness is impossible except for the most holy of all of us.  That’s not me.  It might be you.

Most of us would eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners; however, that sit-down might depend on the nature of the sin and whether the sinners are sorry.  In other words, if they answered Jesus’ call, “Follow me,” we would eat and drink with them.  Otherwise, we would show them the door. With Presidents' Day so close, I'm reminded that's what elections are for.

Deacon David Pierce