Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Saturday
after Ash Wednesday
February 28, 2004

Isaiah 58:9-14
Luke 5:27-32

Scripture

"The healthy do not need a doctor: sick people do. I have not come to invite the self-righteous to a change of heart, but sinners."

Reflection

After reading Luke's Gospel today, I'm asking myself: "Who do you eat and drink with? Hang out with?" And I'm wondering if I'm more comfortable with people like the Pharisees who are so sure of the "right way" and the "proper image" or with the tax collectors and those non-observers of the law--- those outsiders. On the one hand, I can get very perturbed with folks as righteous and judgmental as the Pharisees--- they can make my blood boil a bit. On the other hand, how do I feel about the folks they judge and look askance at? Ah, now that's another story. Don't I worry about being lumped in with those good-for-nothing types? The ones who don't take care of their yards or keep their kids in check or pay their bills on time….. Don't I put a lot of stake in people thinking that I'm one of the "good guys"? I sure don't go around introducing myself as a sinner or witnessing to the fact that Jesus came to save wretches like me. Yes, I need a change of heart. And my heart needs to be wide enough to embrace both the judgmental and the judged. Now that's a challenge I can work on in these days of Lent….

Mantra

Open wide my heart…

by: Sister Dianne Baumunk

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