Reflections on Scripture | Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
"Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

Reflection

The beautiful image in this reading is the image of Jesus as a doctor, as a physician. And the interesting thing to me about that is the way you imagine the role of a doctor in your life. You don't go to a doctor to be condemned or judged. You go to them to be healed. And you believe that the doctor has either some knowledge that will be helpful or some advice that will be good for you that will bring you to health.

What a different view we can have of God. God a judge or God a physician. Jesus is God incarnate. We see a dimension of God that is so attractive. Our God is like a doctor, and what he longs for over all else is giving us a way to health, wholeness and life.

The Closing Prayer

Father, your gift to us is grace your presence within us, and we believe with all our hearts that when we open ourselves to that gift, it is a healing balm, a wonderful medicine that lifts us out of the disease that we often get caught in. Help us to trust in your healing presence and healing power. Amen.

Reflections Archives

Kyle Cross