Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": Jan. 13

Listen

I will choose Christ/ Booth; Troccoli has same refrain, different verses and bridge

Read

1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1 The Lord assured Samuel, “Saul is to govern my people.” Saul met Samuel who anointed him: “The Lord anoints you commander. Govern his people and save them from their enemies.”

Ps 21:2-7 "Lord, in your strength the king is glad." You welcomed, blessed, and crowned him and gave him life, majesty, and joy.

Mk 2:13-17 Jesus taught the crowd. He invited Levi to follow him, and he got up and followed. Scribes saw Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors and asked his disciples why. Jesus: “The healthy don't need a doctor; sick people do. I came to call sinners.”

Reflect

Creighton: God's calls of Saul and Levi/Matthew appear surprising and shocking; neither fit the “profile” of a good candidate. We may find it hard to believe God is interested in our ordinary activities, but might he be inviting, calling, cajoling us too?

One Bread, One Body: "Being driven by the convertible": Expect the conversion of those whom you consider least likely to love Jesus. When Levi answered Jesus' call, Jesus showed he can reach anyone. Arrogant persecutor, sinner, extreme case Paul became "an example to those who would have faith." Christ came to call and save sinners and has transformed countless lives. So hope, repent, pray for conversions, share your faith, and rejoice!

Passionist: Paul experienced challenges and tensions while living out is call, yet he went forward in faith, hope, and conviction. “Out of the mountain of despair—a stone of hope” (MLK Jr.). Jesus is the stone of hope—to Levi, sinners, disciples, and crowds. Some Pharisees were struggling to reconcile their understanding with what Jesus was doing and teaching. Jesus’ disciples were likely also struggling to keep up. Jews frowned on toll collector Levi, labeling him a sinner; likely he expected rejection and considered himself an outcast, but Jesus called him. God deems you worthy to come to you and share the good news with you....

DailyScripture.net: "Many sinners were sitting with Jesus": Many were drawn to Jesus, including the unwanted, unlovable, sick, homeless, public sinners, and despised men like Matthew/Levi. Jesus shocked the Orthodox Jews, who divided people into those who rigidly kept the Law, and everyone else, whom they avoided, didn't do business with, didn't marry, and didn't eat with. When the Pharisees challenged him, he said doctors are for the sick. Jesus, the divine physician, sought out those in need to restore them to wholeness, while orthodox Jews were so preoccupied with their religious practice that they neglected the needy. Ironically, the orthodox were as needy as those they despised. The Lord, who fills us with grace and mercy, wants us to seek others' good, showing them the kindness and mercy we've received..

Hilary of Poitiers, bishop, doctor of Church, fought Arianism; see also Wikipedia.

No picture today, so you missed...

'Crown' tie bar: Samuel anointed Saul king (1st reading); In Your strength the king is glad (psalm)

'Phone' tie bar: Jesus 'called' Levi/Matthew; Jesus came to 'call' sinners (gospel)

'?' tie pin, 'silverware' tie bar: "Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (gospel)

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"