Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday - 17th February 2024

​I mentioned yesterday how the Lent Gospel readings in the Lectionary are arranged. Today we find ourselves with Luke, (Lk 5: 27-32), the calling of Levi, whom we also know as Matthew. These are wonderful passages or pericopes, without the shadow of a doubt, but the choice is thematic rather than chronological, so somewhat disjointed, meaning that each day we have to adjust to a different context. My own preference is to read books from beginning to end. That way, they make much more sense.

 

​Luke’s version of the call of Levi is shorter than that found in Mark and Matthew. It seems devoid of those details that give colour to a story. He begins, “Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.” Nothing is missing, yet there is no detail. It’s all rather matter of fact, which is unusual for Luke, an eloquent writer. The fact that Jesus noticed this tax collector, named Levi, suggests it’s a chance meeting. Not only that, but Levi was sitting at his work table, presumably doing his job. Hence the ‘Follow me’ of Jesus seems even more audacious. What if Levi said no? There are important lessons for us here: perhaps we plan too much and don’t leave enough room for God’s grace and inspiration to get a look in. Levi was at his job when Jesus called: he wasn’t at prayer, he wasn’t at a meeting, he was simply doing what he did every day. Jesus met him where he was, in the workplace, not in the synagogue or in the temple. Like the fishermen of Galilee, Levi simply dropped tools, left everything and followed Jesus. That is how radical the Gospel is. That is how radical being a Christian should be.

 

​Levi, like the fishermen, was not a poor man. He had a lot to lose by following Jesus. Luke continues, “In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others.” A banquet follows in honour of Jesus and his disciples. Lots of people are there, including tax collectors and others. These ‘others’ were sinners. But they’re not the only ones present. The scribes and Pharisees are also there and they are critical of what they see. You might ask why they’re there, if the gathering is so repulsive to them. “The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’” Although they complain to his disciples, it is Jesus who answers their question. And what an answer it is; it has become proverbial. It’s worth repeating and speaks for itself. “It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus is the divine Physician, who comes to heal the sick. He is also the Son of a merciful God, who comes to call sinners to repentance and new life as friends and disciples. The question for us is on whose side do we stand? On that of the scribes and Pharisees, or are we on the side of Jesus? How merciful are we to others and to ourselves? Do we allow Jesus to approach us and do we heed his call to healing, forgiveness and salvation? Today’s Gospel story must surely give us great hope and consolation.