A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 He heard this and said, “Those who are well, do not need a physician, but the sick do.
13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Reflection: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
In Jesus time, as in our time, some people live with the principle of “we versus them” or the attitude “holier than thou”. The Pharisees in particular thought they were holy and they cannot come near sinners like the tax collectors or else they will be contaminated.
The mission of Jesus is to bring back people to God. How can he accomplish His mission if he does not deal with people of different backgrounds? Jesus teaches people to love their neighbors whatever the background of those neighbors. He was just living the principle of “practice what you preach” when He called Matthew and then reclined at table with him together with all the other tax collectors who were probably Matthew’s friends.
No doubt the Pharisees followed exactly the laws of the Old Testament and continued the tradition of Moses of offering sacrifice. Yet, as in the time of Hosea (whom Jesus quoted in gospel passage), they lack what is more important: loving God and neighbor.
Nowadays, we go in and out of churches and temples. Nothing wrong with that except that we must never forget to love, to be compassionate, to accept and respect other people whoever they are. More importantly, we must be humble always and ever ready to forgive. Let us be aware that we are all sinners and in need of divine help.
God loves us and accepts us no matter how sinful we are. His only desire is for us to love Him back. Going to church and participating in all the activities therein should be secondary to our obligation to love God and neighbor. This is the meaning of “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”.
*****
Matthew was a tax collector, a profession looked down upon by the Israelites not only as corrupt but unpatriotic because they serve the Roman oppressors. Being despised in society, the tax collectors must have low self-esteem. Imagine therefore the surprise and the joy in Matthew’s face when Jesus, with a growing popularity as a respected Rabbi called him to be His follower. Without any second thought, he got up and followed Jesus.
Jesus indeed came to heal our physical as well as emotional and spiritual illnesses. He came to give back our dignity and make us whole.
Everyone is called to follow Jesus. It doesn’t matter what our background is. We may be a great sinner but our past does not define us. It doesn’t even matter what people think of us. What is important is our response to His call. It is our decision today and our plan for the future that God looks upon with His merciful eyes.
Do we have time to listen to Jesus? Does He have a space in our heart? May we be like Matthew who answered His call and followed Him. In this way, he allowed himself to be transformed by God’s power.
*****
There is something deeply moving about being seen for who you are and still being chosen. In life, we often try to present our best selves like hiding the flaws, concealing the doubts, and covering up the parts we fear others might reject. But the message at the heart of Jesus’ interaction with the tax collector is this: you are seen, fully, and you are still invited.
In a culture where tax collectors were despised and considered traitors to their own people, Jesus approached one such man and offered him something unthinkable—acceptance. Not only did He call him to follow, but He also chose to dine with others society had deemed unworthy. The critics murmured, confused by His choices. Why spend time with people like that?
But the answer was simple and profound: He came not for those who thought they had it all together, but for those who knew they needed healing, those who were honest about their brokenness. Mercy, not judgment, was His mission.
And this is where we are invited to reflect deeply on our own hearts.
Too often, the world teaches us to categorize people, to put them into neat boxes of “good” and “bad,” “deserving” and “undeserving.” But Jesus flips the script. He teaches that the essence of love is mercy, a radical compassion that reaches beyond surface labels to touch the soul beneath.
Showing Mercy in Our World
Mercy is more than just a feeling; it’s a way of life. It’s an active response to the needs, struggles, and wounds of others. It’s about stepping into someone else’s shoes, not to judge, but to lift, support, and restore.
Here are some simple yet powerful ways we can show mercy in our daily lives:
1. Listening Without Judgment
Sometimes the most merciful thing you can do is simply listen. When someone is struggling, instead of offering quick fixes or criticism, sit with them in their pain. Listen with empathy. Let them know they are not alone.
2. Forgiving Freely
We all have been hurt. Some wounds run deep. But mercy invites us to forgive, not because the offense didn’t matter, but because holding on to resentment only deepens the pain. Forgiveness frees both the one who offers it and the one who receives it.
3. Helping the Overlooked
Look around—there are people in your neighborhood, workplace, or community who feel invisible. A kind word, a warm meal, a sincere smile, or a simple invitation can remind someone they matter.
4. Standing Up for the Marginalized
Mercy also means using your voice to advocate for those who don’t have one. Whether it’s speaking out against injustice, supporting the homeless, or defending the misunderstood, your actions can reflect a heart that values people over appearances.
5. Practicing Patience
Mercy often looks like patience, for example, with your children, your spouse, your coworkers, even yourself. When someone fails or falls short, respond with grace. Remind them, and yourself, that growth takes time.
Becoming Agents of Mercy
Each one of us has a past, a present, and a story filled with moments we’re proud of and others we’re not. And yet, just like the tax collector, we are called. Not because we are perfect, but because we are loved. Mercy meets us where we are and invites us into something greater.
When we choose mercy over judgment, love over fear, and inclusion over exclusion, we participate in a divine mission—to heal, to restore, and to uplift.
Let us be people who see others the way Jesus sees them: not for their mistakes, but for their potential. Not for what they lack, but for what they can become. In a world hungry for compassion, may our lives echo the call of mercy.
Because in the end, it’s not about being right or righteous. It’s about being kind, being present, and being love.
