“I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Matthew 9:13

During the Christmas season of 2012, in every party I attended, people gyrated with the year’s dance craze, Gangnam Style popularized by Korean pop sensation, Psy.

       Oppa is Korean for “older brother,” now being used by girls as a term of endearment for their boyfriends. Gangnam refers to a party place in Seoul frequented by the wealthy. Psy’s dance makes fun of the rich by spoofing horseback riding, their favorite pastime — apparently a ridicule of Korea’s class system.

       To be “in”, I danced along with my friends — doing the silly horseback riding steps to the tune of the upbeat Gangnam music.

       I felt, yes, like a psycho, making a fool of myself. But I made my friends laugh, so I guess it was well worth it.

       Reading the Gospel today, I realize that’s what Jesus did when He had dinner at Matthew’s house. The Son of God made a fool of Himself — just to win Matthew’s heart, that He may turn this sinner into His disciple.

       Sometimes, our efforts to evangelize will require us to do things that the world might consider foolish. But if we can do silly things for fun’s sake, then all the more we should not be afraid to do “foolish” things for the Lord. After all, that’s what Jesus did for you and me. Chay Santiago (cusantiago@gmail.com)

Lord, may I be worthy of Your unconditional love — every day, every moment of my life!

St. Elizabeth of Portugal, pray for us.

4 Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land! 5 “When will the new moon be over,” you ask, “that we may sell our grain, and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat? We will diminish the containers for measuring, add to the weights, and fix our scales for cheating! 6 We will buy the lowly man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!” 9 On that day, says the Lord God, I will make the sun set at midday and cover the earth with darkness in broad daylight. 10 I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentations. I will cover the loins of all with sackcloth and make every head bald. I will make them mourn as for an only son, and bring their day to a bitter end. 11 Yes, days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send famine upon the land: Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord. 12 Then shall they wander from sea to sea and rove from the north to the east in search of the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.

R: One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 2 Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. (R) 10 With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands. (R) 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times. (R) 30 The way of truth I have chosen; I have set your ordinances before me. (R) 40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your justice give me life. (R) 131 I gasp with open mouth in my yearning for your commands. (R)

Tradition tells us that the man spoken of here could well be the author of the Gospel. That his name is withheld supports this hypothesis. Whatever the case, we see that Jesus is not afraid to call sinners into His service, even those particularly despised by the people whom He wishes to convince of the truth of His Gospel. God can use anyone who is willing to follow Him in the service of the Gospel. Let us never doubt His power to use us to bring about His will.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

9 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. 10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. 13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

think:  God can use anyone who is willing to follow Him in the service of the

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 4-6

HUNGRY AND READY FOR GOD’S WORD

There is an intriguing connection between our readings today. It’s a contrast, first of all. The First Reading from the prophet Amos mentions a famine, whereas the Gospel includes a scene at a festive table hosted by the tax collector Matthew after Jesus had called him.

       Secondly, there is also an interplay between the same two readings. The prophet Amos prophesies a famine “for hearing the word of the Lord.” The verses are very ominous: “Then they shall wander from sea to sea, and rove from the north to the east in search of the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.” Whereas in the Gospel passage, we hear Jesus offering a Scripture verse to the self-righteous Pharisees who were complaining against Him, even ordering them to “go and learn the meaning” of these words: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.”

       Between these two readings is the Responsorial Psalm, with its familiar verse: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” It’s true. We might be famished and go hungry for the Word of God, especially when we drift away from Him through apathy, laziness and negligence, but it is consoling to know that the Lord runs after us, offering us precisely His life-giving Word that will satisfy our hunger and thirst.

       In fact, God chases us most especially when we go astray through our faults and failures, through our misdeeds and misdemeanors. Matthew, the tax collector turned Apostle, gives us hope. He is our exemplar. Jesus called him to conversion, and he readily responded.

       For all we know, Matthew had hungered for God’s call ever since. He didn’t even need to wander from sea to sea. God Himself found him and called him, “Follow me.” Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you hungry for God’s Word? Go to Him who can satisfy all your hunger and thirst.

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us Your Word every day. May we always rely on Your Word to guide our days and satisfy our inner yearnings.