"What I want is mercy not sacrifice"
Matthew 9 : 13
One of the most popular devotions in the Church today is the DIVINE MERCY. This devotion may be relatively new but the great truth of the mercy of God is as old as the Bible itself. When we say people are merciful we usually mean that they are forgiving but scripture writers understood God’s mercy as something much deeper. The mercy of God implied compassion, tenderness and fidelity to the covenant.
In today’s gospel we see Jesus embody the mercy of God when He calls Matthew, the tax collector, to be His follower. Having responded promptly to this unexpected call Matthew celebrates with a party to which He invites not only Jesus but His own mates – the tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees who prided themselves in keeping their distance from such types of people were scandalised. For them this was surely an occasion of spiritual uncleanness.
But Jesus did not share their scruples. Quoting the Prophet Hosea who was well known to them Jesus affirms the great truth of God’s mercy which reaches out to all His children, especially those rejected by society. These are Jesus table companions and from them he calls Matthew to be one of His twelve apostles.
Prayer
God our loving Father we rejoice in your mercy and compassion towards us. Help us to reflect your mercy in your dealings with others especially those marginalised by society. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.