"I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:13)
One of the most outstanding attributes of God is "mercy" beyond human calculation, devoid of any condition. This attribute of God goes beyond status, sex and race. It is priceless in nature.
It is in the light of this that, when Christ saw Matthew sitting at the tax office he called him saying: "Follow me". This clarion call of His on Matthew was beyond status and holiness as Pharisees considered. The choice of Matthew as one of the apostles or disciples came as a result of God's unfathomable mercy of choosing the weak to shame the strong (cf. I Corinthians 1:27).
To buttress this, an extract of today's gospel pericope made it explicitly clear that God desires mercy and not sacrifice (cf. Matthew 9:13). Indeed as the Psalmist says: " If God were to mark our iniquities, O Lord, who will stand?' (Psalm 130:3).
Therefore, beloved in Christ how then can we reciprocate this kind gesture of God, other than keeping at heart His detects and ordinances through day-to-day struggle and perseverance, which Evangelist Matthew in the gospel acclamation recorded: "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, says the Lord" (Matthew 11:28).
Indeed our God is ever ready to ease our pains, heal our infirmities, comfort us in sorrow and provides hope in despair. Therefore, we ought to follow Him in our weakness and shortcoming there and then He will restore us into wholeness for He came not for the healthy but for the sinners. Peace, be with you!
Let us pray
Almighty and eternal God, thank You for the many blessings You shower upon us notwithstanding our frailties. Accept we pray the homage of our lips and grant us the grace to follow You in perseverance with our daily crosses. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 07072023
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