(Homily for March 4, 2017).
At times,
we live in denial. Just like the Pharisees, we never see anything wrong with
what we do. We constantly justify our actions and when someone points out our
faults, instead of admitting it, we launch attacks of various sorts against the
person and when we are so opportune, we even see to the eventual crucifixion of
that person. Looking at our Gospel passage there is really no difference
between Levi and the Pharisees with their scribes. They were all sinners – we all
are sinners. As St. Paul would say: “all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God.” Romans 3:23. And mind you, there is nothing like big sin and
small sin. But then, what puts Levi and his colleagues apart was what while he
admitted his sinfulness, the Pharisees and Scribes were self-righteous; they
saw themselves as the only good people while others were simply a bunch of
sinners.
This
Pharisaic attitude is something we cannot deny in ourselves. The feeling that
we are better than others blinds us to our faults and makes us gloss over our
sins. Sometimes, because we feel we are sinless, we deprive ourselves from visiting
the sacrament of confession for so long that we even begin to lose the sense of
good and evil. And the truth is that when we become Pharisees, that is, when we
stop seeing anything wrong with us while we see everything wrong with everyone
else, we stop growing. The Pharisaic attitude prevents us from addressing
obstacles to our spiritual growth. Once we are no longer able to take
correction, we become like a glass cup that is full to the brim, we are no
longer capable of holding anything more.
Jesus
simply said: “Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who
are sick.” I once heard a story of a man who was terribly ill and refused to go
to the hospital. When he is describing his condition, he would say “my enemy is
sick.” And often, you will catch him say things like: “I am not sick in Jesus
Name.” Despite pleading from family and friends, he said he would not go the
Hospital because he knows he is not sick; that the hospital is meant for sick
people. His condition worsened and still he didn’t believe he was sick. Even when
he was being forced to take drugs, he refused saying he has the blood of Jesus
flowing in his veins and he doesn’t need any tablet. Most of us Christians are
like this man. We have become too blind to notice our spiritual sickness and we
behave as if we don’t need Jesus while we remain in our sin.
One sin we
fail to notice in our lives is our lack of charity. We waste food anyhow, yet
we fail to help the poor when it is in our power to do so and we keep accusing
the Government of not taking care of the poor. We blame everyone else else but ourselves.
As the Prophet Isaiah tells us the morning: “Take away the YOKE from your
midst, stop pointing accusing fingers at others, stop speaking wickedness. Pour
yourself out for the hungry, satisfy the desire of the afflicted.” Dear friend,
think of the many around you who have never experienced the love of a father or
mother. Think of many who have to sweat hard just to hear the words “thank you.”
Think of people afflicted by suffering; in hospitals, traffic jams, the jails.
“My face is there” says Jesus, “and I look for you to wipe away my blood and
tears.” Admit your fault like Levi and do something today, stop the blame game,
stop the pointing of fingers!!!
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, I too am guilty, open my eyes to see my faults. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday after Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Isaiah 58:9-14 and Luke 5:27-32).
Fr. Abu.
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