The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to respond to the invitation of Christ to leave the situations that have isolated us from truth, love, and compassion.
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims Jesus as the Great High Priest.
* [4:14–16] These verses, which return to the theme first sounded in Heb 2:16–3:1, serve as an introduction to the section that follows. The author here alone calls Jesus a great high priest (Heb 4:14), a designation used by Philo for the Logos; perhaps he does so in order to emphasize Jesus’ superiority over the Jewish high priest. He has been tested in every way, yet without sin (Heb 4:15); this indicates an acquaintance with the tradition of Jesus’ temptations, not only at the beginning (as in Mk 1:13) but throughout his public life (cf. Lk 22:28). Although the reign of the exalted Jesus is a theme that occurs elsewhere in Hebrews, and Jesus’ throne is mentioned in Heb 1:8, the throne of grace (Heb 4:16) refers to the throne of God. The similarity of Heb 4:16 to Heb 10:19–22 indicates that the author is thinking of our confident access to God, made possible by the priestly work of Jesus. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.
* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem.
* [19:4] No speech, no words: the regular functioning of the heavens and the alternation of day and night inform human beings without words of the creator’s power and wisdom. (Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Calls Levi.
* [2:14] As he passed by: see note on Mk 1:16–20. Levi, son of Alphaeus: see note on Mt 9:9. Customs post: such tax collectors paid a fixed sum for the right to collect customs duties within their districts. Since whatever they could collect above this amount constituted their profit, the abuse of extortion was widespread among them. Hence, Jewish customs officials were regarded as sinners (Mk 2:16), outcasts of society, and disgraced along with their families. He got up and followed him: i.e., became a disciple of Jesus.
* [2:15] In his house: cf. Mk 2:1; Mt 9:10. Lk 5:29 clearly calls it Levi’s house.
* [2:16–17] This and the following conflict stories reflect a similar pattern: a statement of fact, a question of protest, and a reply by Jesus.
* [2:17] Do not need a physician: this maxim of Jesus with its implied irony was uttered to silence his adversaries who objected that he ate with tax collectors and sinners (Mk 2:16). Because the scribes and Pharisees were self-righteous, they were not capable of responding to Jesus’ call to repentance and faith in the gospel. (Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Cindy Murphy McMahon comments that Levi/Matthew had much to lose by following Jesus, including his livelihood and his identity. She asks “Would I have been so quick to run after Jesus, to invite him to my home, to walk away from my profession?”
Let us pray: “Lord, help me to recall these words used to describe your ways — refreshing, trustworthy, right, clear, pure, enduring forever, true, and full of mercy – when I talk to you. Increase my confidence in your love and mercy for me and all humankind as we seek to follow your Son, our Lord. And help us to manifest that confidence to others who are desperately in need of knowledge of your grace.” (Murphy, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “No physician can avoid the arena of sickness,” by Gregory of Nazianzus (330 - 390 AD).
"When Jesus is attacked for mixing with sinners, and taking as his disciple a despised tax collector, one might ask: What could he possibly gain by doing so? (Luke 15:2) Only the salvation of sinners. To blame Jesus for mingling with sinners would be like blaming a physician for stooping down over suffering and putting up with vile smells in order to heal the sick." (excerpt from ORATION 45, ON HOLY EASTER 26) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 2:13-17 comments that Levi probably had no idea where that first step would take him. Surely he wasn’t imagining himself becoming a great saint who would be honored for all time. But he knew he had to find out. Jesus was too compelling for him to remain idle.
No matter who you are, no matter where you are in your faith life, Jesus is passing by your neighborhood, your home, your work today. He sees you. He knows your weaknesses and sins. But he also knows your potential. He sees the goodness in your heart and your desire to live a holy life. And so he invites you—again—to follow him. He asks you to take one more step away from the old and toward the new.
“Jesus, help me today to take the next step into the full life you have for me.” (Meditation on Mark 2:13-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Hebrews passage explains that the Word of God can penetrate us and create a crisis in our heart for God. The tax collectors were often dishonest in stealing money. Friar Jude reminds us that the Pharisees were concerned about the contagion of sin and would not keep company with sinners.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Cherokee descendent Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley and his wife Edith Woodley of the Eastern Shoshone tribe who highlight how honoring the wisdom and traditions of our ancestors can inspire us to become healers and changemakers, creating a path to a better future.
When sharing stories, Native American elders often drift freely between current and past events. They may begin a story by saying something like “A long time ago …,” but if you listen carefully, you’ll notice that the behavior or problem they are addressing is likely a current one. Indigenous learning comes through reflected experience. We learn about how to live now by examining what has happened in our history.
We depend on our stories, our ceremonies, and other traditions to guide us to a good future. Often that future is best expressed through exploring things from the past. We mine our past for those gems that are our payment for the future. That is why our stories and other past concerns are so very important. Without our past, we cannot be a people in the future.
Think about what you have carried forward from your parents, grandparents, or caregivers. What practices, ideas, or lifeways rooted in the past are you keeping alive? (Rohr, n.d.)
When we find ourselves isolated from our relationships with others we seek awareness of the Spirit that calls us to “Follow Him” to fellowship and healing.
References
Hebrews, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/4?12
Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2?13
Meditation on Mark 2:13-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/18/1182214/
Murphy, C. (2025, January 17). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011825.html
Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19?8
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Healers and Changemakers: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/healers-and-changemakers-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Many Sinners Were Sitting with Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan18
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