Let all the sinners come to Jesus
Dear Fathers, Brothers, Sisters in Christ
1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1
Psalm 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Mark 2:13-17
In today's gospel we hear how Jesus reached out to all people, even eating "with tax collectors and sinners."
In the course of my Ministry I do get involved with meeting young people on the streets of the local city,who have very sad backgrounds and are often engaged in criminal activity. I also get involved in family disputes where one partner hates the other. Through my experience in counselling and organizing spiritual and practual help, I was the one who grew during the experience.
During that time and even now, I wonder what the response would be at our church on Sunday if fifteen or twenty inmates filed into the front pews. It would be interesting to say the least! Though evil people do exist, we often forget that we could be in their shoes if it were not for the grace of God.
Whom do we choose to associate with -- and why? Those are good questions to ask ourselves today as we consider the example of Jesus.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
