Mt 9, 9-13 The healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do

The Gospel today (Mt 9, 9-13) contains many meanings. We can meditate on and contemplate the loving behavior of God. I would like to share with you 2 points.

1. “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are
sick do.” (Mt 9, 12)

This saying of Jesus is an obvious truth, very normal in daily life. It is not new. But what is the aim which Jesus wants to imply? He often associates with the sick, sinners and the marginalized. He visits their homes, eats at the same table with them, touches them, and so on. These are actions which the righteous Pharisees avoided and stayed away from. Hence, the Pharisees hated Jesus and sought a way to lower His reputation. Once when Jesus was having a meal at Matthew’s house, the Pharisees didn’t ask Jesus directly why he ate and drank with sinners but they asked his disciples, why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? They wanted to confuse the disciples and pull them away from their Master. We also see and hear similar questions when we work with others in various missions. Here, we see that the disciples didn’t answer but Jesus did. He had an insight into his disciples’ difficulties. He replied to the Pharisees: “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do.” He implied that he is a physician, a Good Physician. He came to the world to seek and heal sick and sinful souls. The Pharisees were self-righteous and judged others. Jesus warned why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? … First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Mt 7, 3.5). Therefore, in order to experience and taste the love of God, we need to recognize that we are sinners. In fact, we are sinners and are called to follow the Lord… as precepts of our Society. Saint Paul also said: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rm 3, 23). But we cannot get free of this condition by ourselves. So we need a physician, a Savior.

2. We observe Matthew’s attitude of response to Jesus’ call.

Jesus saw Matthew sitting at the customs house. He called him: Follow me. The call was very simple and short. But it had a divine power to convert Matthew from tax collector to apostle. Why? Why did Matthew leave his business behind in order to arise and follow Jesus immediately when He called him? Surely, Matthew had heard many things about Jesus before. Jesus was a good master, a good physician. In his heart, there was a little bit of admiration for Jesus. Matthew's heart must have yearned for God. As we see, Jesus didn’t call Matthew at the same time as Peter, Andrew, John… Notice that Matthew was in the same town with them (Capernaum). Jesus waited for Matthew’s heart to be moved by his deeds. This indicated that Jesus knew Matthew’s condition of soul clearly. John Chrysostom, the great 5th century church father, describes Matthew's calling as following: He came at a different time to call Matthew when he was assured that Matthew would surrender to his call. Hence, when Jesus called Matthew, Matthew realized Jesus’ respect for him and His blessings while other teachers, such as Pharisees, looked down on him and avoided him.

Today, we are constantly called and chosen by Jesus. I wonder whether I am following Jesus, following his way or following my own way? Yes, we are sinners. And, Jesus calls us to repentance. So, to conclude my sharing I borrow the words of Saint Augustine and pray: "Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself.” (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)