All Souls Saturday; Our Venerable Father Benedict of Nursia (547)
Great Fast Day 20.
Read
Hebrews 10:32-38; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Mark 2:14-17; John 5:24-30
Can you imagine the joy of Levi – a Jewish man, a tax collector, despised by many in society because he was seen as working for “them,” the Romans who occupied their land, and collected taxes to further that occupation? Not just despised but also called a sinner, a person at the bottom of the barrel. His joy? He was called by this Jewish preacher, Jesus, whose teachings were probably already appealing to him, to follow him. The Lord called him personally to participate in His great work of saving the world. So much joy that he held a dinner in honour of Jesus and invited, well, his friends – fellow tax collectors – you know, ALL the scum at the bottom of the barrel. Sinners.
The Scribes simply claimed their own righteousness when they saw this. It is very easy to claim your own righteousness simply by pointing to the sin of the other. It’s not really righteousness, though. It’s simply stating, “I’m better than you.”
Let’s face it, folks. We are all sinners. And the only Righteous One is Jesus Christ our Lord. When He saves us, it is His inherent righteousness that becomes ours, that in which we begin to participate. Let’s listen then. Hear His voice calling each of us by name. Calling us to work in His work, that of saving the world. And the joy of Levi will be our joy!