The First Reading : (Isaiah 58:9–14).
The Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 86).
Response: Teach me, O Lord, your way, so that I may walk in your truth.
The Gospel: (Luke 5:27–32).
At that time, Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he left everything, rose, and followed him.
And Levi made him a great feast in his house. And there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them.
The Pharisees and the scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Homily:
On this fourth day of Lent, the Church reminds us that God is always ready to give us opportunities to repent of our sins and return to him.
The great message of Lent is repentance:
Repent and believe in the Gospel.
Turn away from sinful ways.
Return to God, who is always ready to welcome us back.
God does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather that they turn from their evil ways and live.
This message was central to the preaching of John the Baptist:
“Repent, for the Kingdom of God is close at hand.”
It was also at the heart of Jesus’ proclamation:
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Luke 5:32)
“It is the sick who need the doctor, not the well.” (Matthew 9:12)
If you, O Lord, were to mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is forgiveness.
Jesus constantly gave sinners opportunities to repent. He ate with them. He forgave them.
Remember Zacchaeus the tax collector.
Remember the woman caught in adultery.
Remember the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son.
Jesus was never focused on the sinner’s past, but on their future- the saint they could become.
In today’s Gospel, he calls Levi (Matthew), a tax collector- a public sinner. Tax collectors were despised because many abused their position, taking more than required. Yet Jesus called him.
When Jesus said, “Follow me,” he was saying:
“Matthew, I know your past, but I see your potential. I am not concerned about your yesterday. I am concerned about your tomorrow.”
Matthew accepted the invitation.
The sinner became a saint.
The tax collector became a Gospel writer.
My friends,
During this Lent, God is extending the same invitation to us:
“Follow me.”
What must we do?
Like Matthew, we must leave behind our past.
Matthew left everything- meaning he left behind his old life.
One powerful way to respond is through the Sacrament of Confession.
Make use of Confession this Lent.
Seek forgiveness.
Make the effort not to return to sin.
Sometimes, sadly, we make others feel unworthy of coming to church.
I once spoke with a Christian who told me:
“Father, I feel terrible coming to church because I am a great sinner. If I come to church, the church will catch fire.”
But God is not worried about our past. He is concerned about our conversion.
Jesus came for sinners.
Where else should sinners go if not to God’s house?
The Church is not a museum for saints.
The Church is a hospital for sinners.
Let us therefore be careful with our words, so that we do not discourage others from seeking God’s mercy.
And when we come to church as sinners, let us come sincerely -not to hide our sins, but to seek transformation.
Do not let your sins scare you.
Do not let your past define you.
God is not finished with you.
He is concerned about the saint you can become.
Like the father of the prodigal son, God’s arms remain open.
So let us find the courage of Matthew and say:
“Yes, Lord. I will follow you. I will leave behind my yesterday and embrace the new tomorrow you offer.”
Amen.
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