My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
Jesus is not telling us that sacrifice and religious practices are unimportant. He is reminding us that our worship of God must lead us to love and mercy toward others.
It is possible to come to Mass, say our prayers, give to the Church, and still carry anger, resentment, or judgment in our hearts. Jesus reminds us that what God desires is not simply what we do outwardly, but the love that should be present in our hearts.
Jesus called Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. Others saw Matthew as a sinner and someone unworthy. But Jesus saw someone who could be transformed by God’s mercy.
That is the heart of the Gospel: God does not wait for us to become perfect before He calls us. He calls us so that His mercy can transform us.
As a parish community, we are called to be a people of mercy. We welcome those who are searching for God. We reach out to those who are hurting. We forgive those who have offended us. We resist the temptation to judge others by their past or their weaknesses.
Our parish should be a place where people encounter not condemnation, but the merciful heart of Christ.
Every time we come to the Eucharist, we receive the mercy of Jesus. And having received His mercy, we are sent forth to show that same mercy to others. Have a wonderful Week
