Saturday March 5, 2022

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Do you remember your lowest point in life? Perhaps it was financial, illness-related, a time of under-employment, a relationship crisis, unbearable work conditions or the dead end of a poorly chosen path. Today's readings remind me of when I was at such points in my life. They remind me to live in gratitude for all God has done for me, reaching out to me at through the kindness of others, or with an inner word or prompting that He would get me through this or that. Memories of hardship can keep us compassionate toward others in similar situations, and from judging others' worthiness; they can help us, as the prophet Micah said, “to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with [our] God.” (Mic 6:8)

In today's first reading (Is 58:9b-14), the Hebrew people are settling in after returning from exile. Unfortunately, they are also settling back into unkind, unjust, Godless ways that led them into exile in the first place. God in His mercy shows them their sin, and reminds them of the greatness to which He has called them – to bear His light before the nations. If they guard their tongues against malicious speech, care for the poor and honour the Sabbath, they will arise with honour, prosperity and renown among all peoples:

Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday;
Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land.
He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails.
The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up;
...Then you shall delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;
I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father...

The psalm response (Ps 86) is David's cry from the heart for God's help.

Incline your ear, O LORD; answer me, for I am afflicted and poor.
Keep my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
...Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading.

David knows God is his Deliverer. He is willing to trust God's plan for his life: “save your servant who trusts in you.” This is the language of surrender. Do we not often surrender when hardship overtakes us, and there is no way out but by the hand of God? Each moment of darkness, difficulty or deep suffering can be an occasion for surrender, until surrender to God's unknown greater designs for our life becomes part of our daily existence. I remember these moments; I remember when I was that pitiable person, and You delivered me. I surrender to You. I will trust in Your plan. Just give me the grace to walk through, in accordance with Your will.

Today's Gospel (Lk 5:27-32) describes the call of Levi the tax collector. Levi was likely reviled by his people for collecting taxes on behalf of the pagan Roman empire. He was probably accustomed to hateful gazes and rude remarks each time he stepped into the street. But Jesus knew the Father's plan for Levi, and called him: “Follow me.” Levi was ready for Jesus, and Jesus was ready for Levi. Luke tells us that Levi left everything behind to follow Jesus, then held “a great banquet” in His honour at his home. To the Scribes and Pharisees who took offense at His eating with Levi's tax collector and sinner friends, Jesus replied, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” And Levi the despised tax collector became Matthew the evangelist.

Lord Jesus, help me to trust You when I'm tempted by old unhealthy patterns, by despair, or by lies about who I really am in Your eyes. I surrender to Your plans for my life today. You have brought me farther than I could ever imagine. Your designs for all of us are more wonderful than anything we can envision on our own. Keep us from judging or discouraging others. Instead, help us draw one another to You, Divine Physician and Healer, for in You, all things are made new. Amen.

Link to Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030522.cfm

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