Lenten Reflection Series- February 20th, 2021

If 2021 was going to have a universal fast for Lent, it would be Isaiah 58:9 “If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech…” How easy has it become to judge and slander people on social media? We consume our days with this culture of anger and mental oppression of ourselves and others.

God reminds us into today’s first reading to let all of this go so we can share in the rewards promised to the patriarchs. He wants all of us to turn away from sin and come back to the family. Now God doesn’t make us do this alone. You many feel like the only one trying to live a good righteous life and continuously look on while people continue to find a false sense of joy in this culture but you are not. We always have Jesus and our Gospel today reminds us of this.

Jesus approached a tax collector named Levi and asked him to follow him. Levi overcome with the spirit throws a huge banquet in his home. Now the Pharisees were angry with Jesus for associating with these tax collectors and sinners, for any practicing Jewish man wouldn’t do as such for they were unclean.

But Jesus reminds them “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Luke 5:32) Jesus walks with all people but especially the sinners.

As we journey through Lent together, remember you are not alone. Jesus came for us. Leave everything at the foot of his cross and invite him into your hearts regardless what it looks like.

God Bless,
Jonathan

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