Homily - Saturday After Ash Wednesday, Deacon Brendan Brides

Jesus tells us today that he did not come to call the righteous to repentance but he came to call sinners. He expands by saying that those who are healthy don't need a "physician" but the sinners do. So what if you have fully repented, what if you're spiritually sound, what if you don't need a "physician" - for the soul at least. Where does that put you?

If the message of Jesus has reached you, then it's your responsibility to share it. At a later point in another gospel - Luke's gospel - Jesus spells this out clearly when he says; much will be required of the person entrusted with much and still more will be demanded of the person with more" (Luke 12:48). These words have become something of an idiom in western culture, paraphrased by many but seen through by few.

Perhaps at some point or points this Lent we could take the opportunity to share what we have been given. We could share through our words and our actions to others. And to make it even more challenging we could share it with those outside of our circle, outside of our parish or even outside of our faith. We could share with those less fortunate, those to whom very little has been given. Through our words and our actions we are called to say to others that which Jesus said to Levi: "follow me."