Gospel: Matthew 9: 9-13
The religious leaders are shocked at Jesus for eating at a tax collector's table with all sorts of other horrid sinners. How could Jesus possibly accept communion fellowship from such people? How could he possibly offer such to these deplorables? In their understanding of things, one must be worthy and unclean to be present at the table with us. If they were not, they had to make themselves clean through ritual actions they perform for themselves.
Jesus, however, changes the dynamic and understanding. It is God who comes among us who invites us to table fellowship and communion. For it is only through the table fellowship and communion that transformation within us takes place. It is only through God's invitation to the table offered to all that we can experience the transformation itself. The meal is prepared for the sick and hungry, not for the hale and well-fed.
Today's remembrance of the call of Matthew is a reminder of how God's economy works. It is not based on merit or earning. It is based solely on generosity and invitation extended for all to a table fellowship and communion with God and with one another. To invite another to the table is to say to them that I am in communion with you. This is God's movement toward us, and it is how we are to be with others.
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