“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” // Mark 2:17
I struggle to love people whose actions disgust me. Do you?
When I think about these people, many of whom are public figures in our culture, whose evil behavior, actions, and words are truly appalling as a Catholic, it is hard to think about them sitting at a table with Jesus looking at them lovingly. It is easy to imagine the people I know who are fully devoted to Jesus sitting at table with Him, having wonderful conversations and a wonderful time.
But it is difficult to imagine Him laughing, talking, and eating with those who carry out and promote so many things that stand in direct opposition to Him. As I read today's Gospel, it dawns on me that the Pharisees likely felt this way when they saw Jesus eating with the sinners and tax collectors.
The Gospel today gives me new eyes to see the way Jesus loves and the ways He is calling me to love. It is not easy—it challenges and convicts me. Jesus loves each one of us with infinite love—we are all sinners in need of His healing, care, and mercy.
And so, I read today's Gospel a few times, and I sit in imaginative prayer. I imagine those people whose actions disgust me sitting with Him. As I watch the scene, He turns and looks over His shoulder to say to me, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do, Emily. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” I imagine Him laughing with them and loving them because He loves them just as much as He loves me.
It challenges me deeply again. It propels me to try to love the same way He does—because the goal of my life is to be just like Him. How does it challenge you?
We are all sinners in need of His healing, care, and mercy. // @emwilssClick to tweet
Emily Wilson Hussem planned her whole life to become a sports reporter but turned out to be a Catholic writer at the hand of God. The heart of her ministry is offering encouragement to women in living a counter-cultural life of joy. She is the author of two children's books, God’s Glorious Girl and God’s Brave Boy and Awaken My Heart, a devotional for women of all ages. Find out more about her here.
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