Tenth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
Hosea 6:3-6
Romans 4:18-25
Matthew 9:9-13

“What would Jesus do?” has become a Christian mantra. Sometimes the answer to that question is painfully obvious. All of us know that Jesus came for sinners and that the ministries of the Church should be expressions of Jesus’ concern. For the most part, we are pleased that the Church reaches out to “private sinners” — people like us. Sometimes, though, we “private sinners” have difficulty accepting the Church’s ministry to those whom we identify as the “public sinners.” Today’s Gospel reminds us that some things don’t change in even 2,000 years.

Every generation and social group names, classifies, and stereotypes those it regards as its “sinners.” They are the ones who bolster our feelings of superiority at least until we read the Gospel.

In Jesus’ time, the “sinners” were the tax collectors because they were collaborators with the Roman authorities and suspected of treason; camel-drivers, herdsman, and butchers because they were thought to be ritually unclean. Others could be added to the list.

There are obvious dangers in naming sinners rather than identifying sins. Naming anyone as “other” separates us from that person or category of persons. When Jesus said, “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners,” he was identifying our mission as well as his own. We are called to witness to the Risen Christ where the Good News has not yet been absorbed.

The number of meals Jesus shared with sinners, the sumptuous banquet when the prodigal son returns, Judas at the last supper and Jesus’ eagerness to offer bread and wine for the forgiveness of sin ought not be minimized. Lest we become too complacent and forget our own part in the flaws of the community, Paul reminds us that Christ “was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification.” The Gospel challenges us to identify ourselves as the righteous or as the sinner. Individually, we face the challenges of our personal flaws and recognize our own sinfulness. We look to Jesus to show us how to reach out to other sinners, to the poor and the vulnerable. We unite ourselves with Christ in full confidence and openness. What we are called to offer to others is what we ourselves have received through no merit of our own.

Today, we gather to give thanks that Christ has chosen to give himself to us in a meal. At this Eucharist, we make our faith transparent to others and give thanks for the faith of the Church. We remember that we are imperfect as we give thanks for being redeemed in Christ and accept the challenge to reach out to others in charity.