The Call of Levi

Today's Reflections   

 

 

                       

The Call of Levi 

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Mk 2:13-17

¹³[Jesus] went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. ¹⁴As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. ¹⁵While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷Jesus heard this and said to them [that], “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Follow me. Jesus chooses people to follow him not on the basis of beauty or stature of personality. No wonder the scribes, who are also Pharisees, wonder why Jesus associates with sinners. Jesus’ answer, that he has come to call not the righteous but sinners, reveals his concern for the whole humanity and his love for each and everyone. Thus, his call to discipleship is based on his decision to love, and calling sinners to be reconciled with God is his mission.

In the First Reading, Samuel sees Saul who is looking for the asses of his father. Samuel knows for certain that this is the person who will govern the people. Saul is described as a handsome young man, standing head and shoulders above the people. Not knowing the plan of the Lord, Saul asks for the seer. Identifying himself as the seer, Samuel invites Saul for a dinner during which the prophet anoints Saul commander over the Lord’s heritage.

How do we choose our companions in the ministry?

Is our choice based on power, wealth, or popularity?

What is the Christian way?