Fri of the 13th Week of OT

1st Reading: Am 8:4-6,9-12

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:2,10,20,30,40,131

Gospel: Mt 9:9-13

Jesus does not discriminate against anyone. We have seen Gospel passages in the past where Jesus gave all the attention in the world to children because of their innocence. We recently heard from passages of scripture where Christ was concerned for those who were sick and in need of healing. Today we hear that Christ is even present to sinners and despite their sinful past has called them to come and follow Him. This command is so radical, that the Pharisees are scandalized by Jesus' choice of dinner mates. Despite their lack of understanding Christ reminded each of them of how He had come into the world to bring healing to the sinful.

Each of us must remember that Christ is calling each of us to follow after Him. We must realize that mercy has been extended within our lives and all that we have to do is accept it. No matter the sinful past Christ welcomes us to confess our sins and to join Him at the table. There is nobody here or in the world that has committed such serious sin that an opportunity for forgiveness does not exist. Often people can realize that mercy exists inside the lives of other people, but fear that same mercy cannot be extended to them due to sin that existed in the past. Christ's example in this passage shows His concern for each of us no matter our state in life.

May we trust in that healing today as we celebrate the first Friday of the month where we remember the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through this devotion Jesus continues to show His love for the sinner as He calls out to each of us to come and follow Him and thus grow closer to the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. According to the writings of Saint Margaret Mary we have all been given the excessive mercy of the Heart of Jesus and through its all-powerful love will be granted the grace of final repentance at the hour of death to those who trust in the healing power of this devotion to Christ. May each of us, though sinful, trust in the healing power of Christ and thus follow after Him, so that He can begin to transform our lives.