Mercy Not Sacrifice

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew 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 came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13)

Now this is a very powerful passage from Matthew (and Hosea)!  When we follow Jesus, we eat with sinners and are merciful.  We don’t just associate ourselves with the “good” and those who think like us.  When we “eat” with sinners, others of unlike minds might ask, “Why do you bother?  Why do you not simply sacrifice by attending Mass and participating in the Liturgy, and then receive Communion?  That’s how you can follow Jesus.”  Hardly.

For those of us who support denying Eucharist to “sinners,” we should reflect on Jesus’ instruction and prescription: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”  

Deacon David Pierce