I AM GOD’S FAVORITE!

January 15, 2022 Saturday of the First week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 2:13-17 In today’s gospel Jesus calls a man named Levi, a tax collector. Collecting tax during the time of Jesus is the most hated profession. Tax collectors were labelled as “beast in human form.” People hates them because they were greedy, dishonest, extortionist and corrupt. They were looked upon as traitors. Often, they over-collected and keeping the surplus for themselves. The calling of Levi is a great reminder for all of us: For Jesus what matter most is you, not your sins. What God knows about us is more important than what others thinks of us. God knows your heart and that’s all that really matters. Today’s gospel shows us that Jesus loves the most despised individual. He befriend the unfriendly, He welcomes the unwelcomed and pickup the unlikely. “I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” The call is very simple; just two words, “Follow me.” He does not expect us to be perfect, he just want us to follow Him. This is an invitation to build up relationship with Him. Friends, perfection is not a requirement to follow the Lord. When we met Jesus like Levi, let us leave our old sinful lifestyle. Levi lost his job but he found the Lord. Its like in our first reading for today. The donkey of Kish was lost but Samuel found the crown. Friends, when we found Jesus get ready to have a party. Celebrate! But I warned you my dear friends because when we associate with sinners you will always met rejections and criticisms. There will be religious hypocrites who will attact you but dont worry because our God is a scandalous Saviour. He came for you and for me and not for the righteous. We, sinners are the recepient of God’s mercy. If God has a favorite I think its you, I bet! NB: You may not perfect but God loves you. Never be discouraged with your imperfections because that’s the reason why Jesus came. Blessings Fr. Jhack