As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. -Matt 9:9
Friends, God is good all the time!
Pope Francis recently commented that "Gossip is a plague worse than COVID," urging that we make significant efforts to desist from this shortcoming. I will add that gossip is an "influenza" because we easily engage in it anywhere and anytime. All gossip stands in the way of compassion, which is a healing remedy that every human being needs massive doses of it.
In today's gospel, Jesus displays extraordinary love for Matthew by calling him to follow him. Matthew recognized the honor the Lord had done him and invited him to dinner. Other tax collectors and people labeled "sinners" realized the breathtaking opening for healing and transformation made available to them in Jesus and attended the dinner. Nevertheless, some Pharisees around took the path of least resistance and started the gospel. Jesus' response to their unfriendly comments was an out-of-the-world revelation, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners"(Matt 9:9).
Here, mercy is revealed as the most excellent medication to treat even the messiest life or worst life challenges. It is a healing panacea available to us for spiritual, emotional, social, and physical illnesses. Take, for example, the sacrament of healing. When one goes to confession and leaves the priest's presence, knowing that God has forgiven their sins, there is a profound sense of healing that the penitent experiences, and the healing grace goes beyond forgiveness. James 5:16 says, "confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Commit to Jesus' words and extend compassion to yourself and others. Start with yourself, in this instance, to forgive some past mistakes and errors and free your heart of scars caused by regret and blame that have possessed you for so long, and everything will start to look bright and meaningful. The benefit of self-compassion is that you will find it natural to dispense mercy to others and heal them. People need healing. And when we are compassionate, we make the first move towards restoration, according to Jesus. In this regard, we are all the doctors the world needs to bring healing to its inhabitants.
Prayer blessings: Father, thank you for assuring us of your mercy in our shortcomings and guaranteeing this mercy on account of Jesus. We trust that you will help and love us throughout the day. We don't want to miss the occasions to manifest compassion to others and ourselves, especially when it is so much needed. Amen.