13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus. 

Since Matthew was a prosperous tax collector in Galilee, it probably wasn’t unusual for him to invite people to his house for a dinner party. But the night he invited Jesus was different—not only for Matthew, but for his guests as well. Let’s imagine what one of these guests might have been thinking that night.

“Looks like Matthew’s house is busy again—there’s light shining from the windows and the sound of voices drifting into the street. I can’t wait to see what’s on the menu.

“Hang on! There are some people here I don’t recognize. They don’t look like tax collectors; more like wanderers or fishermen. I wonder what they’re doing here. Matthew seems to be paying special attention to one of them. I think I’ll sit with them and see what’s going on.

“This Jesus fellow seems friendly enough. He sure likes telling stories, and he seems pretty comfortable with everyone. I hear he’s a renowned teacher and healer, and yet he seems genuinely happy to be here with us. Talking with him, I can tell that he’s really listening. He’s genuinely interested in me. He’s telling me about a kingdom where God’s love is available even to people like me. I want to know more, but I don’t think I’d deserve to be part of it.

“Oh, this should be interesting. Here come some Pharisees to debate with Jesus. They must think he shouldn’t be here with us outcasts.

“What did he just say? ‘I did not come to call the righteous but sinners’ (Matthew 9:13). Amazing! He came for me! That’s why such a good man is sitting here in such an unlikely place. He is here to call me into his kingdom!”

Jesus was willing to be present in an unlikely place so that the light of his presence would shine. He was willing to bring the good news wherever he went. You can do the same thing, whether you are at a party, at work or school, or at the laundromat. If you are present—attentive, loving, and ready—you can bring the gospel no matter where you go. Who knows what God might do?

“Jesus, I want to bring the good news with me wherever I am.”

Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67
Psalm 106:1-5
Matthew 9:9-13

WORD AMONG US