It is so easy to put individuals in a group and judge them because of some behavior or beliefs they hold. Unfortunately, this is so common in today’s culture. There is a lot of “I’m right, and you are wrong” going around. There is no end to the debates. It sure makes headlines in the news.
Jesus does something in today’s gospel that alarms his contemporaries and religious leader. First, he sits down at the table with tax collectors and sinners. What strikes me is that Matthew is the only sinner to follow Jesus. There is no mention of anyone else at the table following Jesus. Yet, he still sat and ate with them, an absolute taboo in that culture.
These sinners didn’t have to change for Jesus to be with them. He didn’t see them as a group who opposed Him and the gospel. Instead, he saw them as individuals whom He embraced and loved when he was with them. His mercy won over Matthew, the tax collector who even wrote a gospel for Jesus.
Gospel Challenge:
What can we learn from Jesus to bridge the gaps and heal the divisions in our country and world? Hint: One Matthew at a time.
June 17, 2026, Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061726.cfm Intention Is Everything I always wanted to be a diocesan priest in the Diocese of Peoria. However, this desirechanged
June 16, 2026, Matthew 5:43-48 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061626.cfm Mercy Found – Thanks, St. Anthony One day, my sister Bev and I were walking. She had a bag
June 15, 2026, Matthew 5:38-42https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061526.cfm Keeping Your Honor We want to keep our honor, but how important it is to stay connected to the heart
June 14, 2026, Matthew 9:36-10:8 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061426.cfm Faith Is All About Relationships. Every day, I pray before the Blessed Sacrament for people who have asked for
13th Week in Ordinary Time July 5, 2024
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Friday, 13th Week in Ordinary Time
July 5, 2024, Matthew 9:9-13
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070524.cfm
He Sat with Them All and Didn’t Mind a Bit.
It is so easy to put individuals in a group and judge them because of some behavior or beliefs they hold. Unfortunately, this is so common in today’s culture. There is a lot of “I’m right, and you are wrong” going around. There is no end to the debates. It sure makes headlines in the news.
Jesus does something in today’s gospel that alarms his contemporaries and religious leader. First, he sits down at the table with tax collectors and sinners. What strikes me is that Matthew is the only sinner to follow Jesus. There is no mention of anyone else at the table following Jesus. Yet, he still sat and ate with them, an absolute taboo in that culture.
These sinners didn’t have to change for Jesus to be with them. He didn’t see them as a group who opposed Him and the gospel. Instead, he saw them as individuals whom He embraced and loved when he was with them. His mercy won over Matthew, the tax collector who even wrote a gospel for Jesus.
Gospel Challenge:
What can we learn from Jesus to bridge the gaps and heal the divisions in our country and world? Hint: One Matthew at a time.
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
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