March 14                                                                Mark 2:13-22

In today's Gospel reading we are presented with the familiar story, early in His public ministry, of Jesus calling out to Levi, the tax collector.  Jesus calls to Levi to leave what he is doing at the "receipt of custom" or "tax booth" and follow Him, which Levi does.

This is a curious story.  Although Levi "follows" Jesus, Jesus "follows" Levi to his home, where Levi acts as host for a dinner with Jesus, His disciples, other tax collectors, publicans and "sinners."  Since nothing happens in small towns in first century Israel without the entire town alerted to it, the Pharisees are instantly aware of what is going on.  They chide Jesus for consorting with riff raff and for failing to fast.  Jesus responds that His ministry is to sinners, not the righteous.  As to the lack of fasting, Jesus alludes to His presence as the bridegroom; one does not fast in the presence of the bridegroom.

We all need to be reminded that Jesus comes to any who turn towards Him.  We are all called, like Levi, to follow Jesus.  There is no litmus test to determine who is "righteous" and who is a "sinner." Jesus took the sin of all upon Himself as a sacrifice.  We are all washed in the blood of the Lamb.

In this season of Lent, we need to remember that Jesus does not chastise us.  He does not avoid us as unclean.  He sits with us at table.  He talks with us.  He shares with us.  He "consorts" with us, as in the Latin root of the verb, by sharing our lot/destiny.  We are all sinners, but we are all redeemed by Jesus, Who shares our journey through life with us.  

                                                         David P. Whitman