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| Image of St Anthony Fighter of Demons |
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Someone asked a group to share their spiritual goals for 2026. I hoped I'd be no worse by this time next year.
During our teen years, I suppose, we were all seriously disappointed with the moral state of the Church. We saw and heard things that were not right. Perhaps we quit attending Church and praying daily because it didn't seem "to be working." And we thought we could do better than certain members and most leaders of our peccant Church.
But with time and experience came a measure of wisdom and we realized we were as sinful as anyone else, and then some. We have a record of many -- perhaps innumerable -- instances of willful, unnecessary sins. As I used to say to Veterans in the VA hospital, "If you turn forty years of age and haven't messed up Big Time yet, you ain't even trying!"
I tried. God knows I tried.
And then I turned back to the Lord and found myself amid that scurvy crowd of tax collectors and sinners.
And I heard our dear Lord say, "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Is it any wonder that we love him?
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.