HOME > Prayers > Meditations > 2008 June
Vocation Meditation - June 8
Used with permission from ChristianComputerArt.Com
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when Jesus heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
Jesus' good news is inclusive. Everyone has a right to belong to God's Kingdom. Therein, the door is open even to those we consider sinners and society's offenders and rejects. Our measure is not God's measure of loving humanity. Like in Matthew's calling, Jesus revealed His freedom in choosing workers for the Kingdom. He called them not for what they do but for who they are and for what they can become as they follow Him. His message is clear. He came to heal and build, to gather and restore, to bring hope, to bring light and to give life to all. His mercy exceeds human calculations. Mercy is the new face of God walking in our midst.
Vocation Challenge:
"Be merciful as the Father is merciful."
What human standards of seeing life can I shed off to be more compassionate and merciful?
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.