It is not the healthy who need physician

1 Sam. 9:1-4.17-19.10:1, Mk 2:13-17. Today’s readings describe the vocations of king Saul and Levi also known as Matthew to challenge us to reflect on the nature of God's calls and the task of leadership. In king Saul we see the most likely candidate called as a leader and in Matthew the least likely candidate. Saul was called from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest and least important of the tribes of Israel and within the tribe of Benjamin. God called him to be the first king over His people- Israel when the people cried out to have a king to govern them. Saul was a tall young man, standing head and shoulders above his people, royal in stature. By contrast, Matthew, a tax collector under the hated Roman occupiers, was an outcast, barred from Synagogue and Temple. He should not have had any contact, even at table, with law-abiding fellow-Jews.

Even though it may seem as if Jesus choose only the riff-raff to become Apostles, He sees the value and potential in people whom others quickly discard. Others may see in Levi only a half-pagan, friendly with the foreign oppressors, but Jesus recognises him as a man of compassionate heart, optimistic and kind to others. God has called us to follow Him through our baptism, and if we are truly willing to follow Him, then we should open our hearts and minds to welcome Him into our midst. God will lead us down the right path if only we allow Him to guide us.

May the Lord be with us always, through all the goods and trials of this life, that we may be His faithful disciples and witnesses to the nations! Amen!! Good morning and happy weekend!!!