Reflection On Mark 2: 13-17

In the reading Mark narrates the outraged character of Jesus. Jesus at his teaching near Lake Galilee found an Officer by profession Tax Collector and by name Levi, son of Alpheus. Being in his office Jesus called him at once saying ‘follow me.’ The followed path finally led to his house. Here Jesus’ two actions scandalized to the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus at the house of Levi became friends with everyone especially with tax collectors and with outcasts. Also altogether everyone including Jesus and his disciples joined at the banquet served by Levi. This disturbed the minds of the scribes and the Pharisees. Thus they question with the disciples,” Why does He eat with such people?” hearing their question at the side, Jesus answered as ‘people who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. I have not come to call the respectable but the outcasts.’
The behavior of Jesus with the outcasts was the ‘matter of fact’ for the scribes and Pharisees. Since it was the Jewish society, the scribes and Pharisees were more conscious about the sin and the sinner. They considered law as their only weapon to practice the rules in the society. They were stiff necked in their earnestness to be holy. They despised the outcast’s people pointing out their sins. Jesus as the High Priest, on the other hand knew the weakness and how it was hard to overcome the temptation of money and of the world. That is why Jesus made friendship with the sinners and won their hearts with compassion and love. By calling Levi to be His disciple and joining the banquet along with his associates distinguished the sinners and the scribes and Pharisees who thought themselves were righteous men. Jesus preferred sinners more than the righteous. Sinners’ means who were ready to repent and the righteous that refused to change their ways. That is why Jesus stated, ‘people who are well do not need a doctor but only who are sick.’ To say, Jesus came to save the sinners more than the righteous. Jesus condemned the fake attitude of the scribes and Pharisees and much appreciated the sinners who were ready to repent and change their ways.
An example of Mahatma Gandhi is related very much to Jesus’ attitude where he made friends with his persecutors. When he was jailed in 1922, a cruel Negro Jailor was put in charge of him. Thus any possibility of a friendship was ruled out. One day the Jailor was stung by a Scorpion. Gandhi volunteered to prepare some herbal medicine and treated him. The stubborn heart melted and they became friends in no time.
Question to ponder:
Do you respect each other?
What types of attitude you want apply in your life?
Are you a melted metal or a hard stone?

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