[Jesus] said, “‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.’” // Matthew 9:12
A light knock sounded on the bedroom door. I struggled to sit upright in bed, grimacing at my tender surgical site. My husband cracked open the door and a Eucharistic Minister stepped into the room behind him. My eyes darted about the room subconsciously. A mound of clothes was draped precariously over the chair, papers littered the nightstand, and a thickening layer of dust blanketed the dresser.
As I took in the state of the room, I realized that it was nothing compared to the needs of my soul. The Eucharistic Minister was looking not at the room, but at me. He cradled the pouch that held our Eucharistic Lord and invited me to join him in prayer. I whispered an act of contrition, opening my heart to Christ’s presence despite my messy room and messier, soul-deep imperfections. A moment later, the Eucharistic Minister reverently placed Jesus on my tongue and gently bid me farewell.
I sank back into bed, understanding Christ’s words from today’s Gospel with a humbling new clarity: “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners,” and “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do” (Matthew 9:12-13).
Jesus did not simply happen upon Matthew at his tax booth, but intentionally encountered him there. He sought out Matthew in his moment of greatest depravity, and begged immediate entry into Matthew’s home and disordered life (see Matthew 9:9-11). Matthew’s humble receptivity despite his iniquity allowed Christ to transform him from the most public of sinners to one of the greatest Saints.
Jesus bids us to follow Him not so that we might impress Him, but so that He might heal us.
Our Lord doesn’t demand perfection as a prerequisite, but meets us in the middle of our sin. From there, He begs immediate entry into our lives, unprepared and messy as they may be.
Your willingness to let Him in is the key to your freedom and healing.
Today, consider Christ’s desire to meet you in your imperfection. Hear the invitation to follow Him into the messiest parts of your life—and let the transformation begin.
Megan Hjelmstad (“Helm-stead”) is a wife, enthusiastic hockey mom, and Army Veteran living in Denver, CO. After serving fifteen years in the United States Army, Megan now serves the Church as an author, speaker, and women's mentor in her “spare” time. Megan loves to share God’s hope in suffering and is the author of Offer it Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering. She’s a long-time team member of Blessed is She and a writer and speaker for several other ministries. Megan adores books, sleep, sunshine, and Colorado’s great outdoors almost as much as she adores Jesus in the Eucharist. Learn more at MeganHjelmstad.com.
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