A HASTY DEPARTURE

A HASTY DEPARTURE

 

And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. – Luke 5:28

 

Twenty-four years ago this week, the Marcoses fled Malacañang Palace in the midst of the People Power Revolution. Just hours before that historical moment, the dictator had been sworn in for his fourth term and had vowed that he would never resign.

The family left in such haste that when rallyists overran the palace, they found the Marcoses’ dining table with an unfinished meal in its silver service and a half-eaten banana at the bedside of the former first lady. Empty jewelry boxes littered the floor of Imelda’s bedroom while soiled disposable adult diapers were found in the dictator’s bathroom.

This scene gives us a clear picture of what it means to “leave everything behind.” That’s what Levi did when Jesus invited the tax collector to follow Him. Imagine, Levi was at his customs post when the Lord called him. He had tasks to do, maybe even some ill-gotten cash in his table drawers. But the minute he heard Jesus’ invitation, it was so compelling that he didn’t even bother to pack up his desk. Levi simply got up and followed Jesus.

When the Lord calls us to do something, do we respond with equal haste?Rissa Singson- Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Are you quick to obey, whenever the Lord makes known His will?

 

Lord, give me the boldness to follow You without fear or procrastination. Amen.

 

Become Physicians !

 

Let’s join Jesus on that specific morning. He had a good breakfast, prepared lovingly by Peter’s mother-in-law. We approach with Jesus one of the most hated places in town – the office of the tax-collector. With the disciples we try not to come too close, even though we are not  Pharisees who would see to it that not even their clothes would come in contact with a tax collector. “Hey, Jesus,” Peter shouts alarmed, “what are you doing?” For Jesus is approaching the table of the tax collector Levi whose head goes down in fear to hide between his shoulders. But then, to his and our surprise, Jesus smiled at him and said, “Come, Levi, follow me!”

Read the rest in today’s Gospel passage how Jesus accepted the invitation to eat and drink with Levi and the whole bunch of his colleagues. Read the expected outrage of the pious ones and Jesus’ beautiful answer. For Jesus, sinners were not criminals; they were sick people who needed healing.

Why does the Church give us this reading today, on the fourth day of Lent?

It has become clear already during the past three days that the Church has selected very carefully passages that will help us to make Lent a spiritually fruitful season. “But there are no tax collectors we can call to be our friends,” you may say. You are right. The point is that in today’s society there are a lot of people who are ostracized, marginalized because they are considered to be “sinners” or “bad people.” They have been judged (often misjudged) by prejudice or by lack of knowledge about them. These are our “Levis,” our “tax-collectors” who are avoided for one reason or another. So, as a disciple who is called to continue what Jesus began long time ago, what are you to do?

It’s only too clear, I think. Become “doctors” (without studying medicine), become physicians who do not just prescribe medicine but who give the best medicine to them: understanding, compassion, acceptance and love.Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

Reflection Question:

Who in my environment needs my loving, healing touch most? To whom is Jesus sending me to heal?

 

Lord, Divine Physician, You have healed me so many times with Your love and compassion. Thank You. Today You made me aware that what You have done for me I should do for Your brothers and sisters in need of healing. Help me, please, in this difficult task.

 

St. Amata, pray for us.